Greater than the gods (for Chris)

broken glass on the floor
has left your feet bloody –
the illusion shattered
and still
you crawl
you stand
you walk

you run!

fiery demons follow close behind:
years of fear, misery and
pain have turned into
anger,
left a stain on your heart –
your blood runs wild with
rage
and beasts burst out of their
cage, ready to tear the flesh
off your abusers:
the saints
(the sinners)
the prophets
the angels

the gods.

breathless, wide-eyed and pale
inside the maze
you stop
you rise
and mightily you tower over
the tyrants.

with the strength of all
that has come and gone before you,
all those that have resisted,
those that have soared
and moved mountains,
you boom into the heart of the universe
where you find yourself –
all that was, is,
and will be.

truly, truly I tell you,
you are greater even than the gods…

Denied

I came out of this world
an adventurer ready to explore.
Once I was handed salvation
I was told to search no more.

My body is a temple
and of this masterpiece I was curious.
Yet knowing it too intimately
I was told would make someone furious.

My heart full to the brim and bursting –
thousands of emotions guiding my way.
I was told it is most deceitful
and should pray the colours away.

My own light not to be trusted,
of my own love not to be sure.
My thoughts my own when they are evil –
a gift from him when they are pure.

Who is this being
in whose image I am made?
Though when I look closer
the perfection seems to fade.

Given urges to be ashamed of,
ideas to be ignored.
Told to surrender fully:
To give my body up like a whore.

Thank you for the offer –
thinking you are kind.
Make no mistake:
you have been denied.