the way we teach young girls to keep their lusting linger thoughts
closed between their legs
is through colorful backwards anecdotes
that are out of touch
antiquated
and anti-woman
“your body is a temple”
my mother would chant
this is what I remember
being said the most
“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.”
1 Corinthians 6:19
it was a reminder that my body
was sacred
and that sex was sacred
and basically
i should keep my legs closed
till the right man came along
worthy to worship
between my quivering knees.
the term temple confuses me
by its literal translation
from an 8 year old girl
that anyone and everyone is allowed
in holy spaces
even the damned and not worthy
because my understanding of how church works
is that everyone is welcomed
as long as you commit yourself to
whatever god you prayed too
to me it seems like the opposite advice
to give to a young girl
on the cusp of her puberty.
and mines for control.
