Illiterate Verses

Letter to the reader:

This poem emphasizes the power of sharing our stories and the courage to stand up against shame. It critiques how scripture is often misused to justify division, stripping it of its true intent to teach kindness, love, and unity. It calls for a heart filled with compassion and authenticity, reminding us that true strength lies in embracing love and truth, no matter our imperfections.

Your story has power, 

Your experiences,

Your heart ache, 

and joy.

Words that fill the air

like the oxygen 

that coats lungs in bodies. 

Who have the ability

to hurt or heal 

Another.

Bodies that have the strength,

to move freely,

With a flow 

smoother than Andy Mineo lyrics, 

or ASTR beats.

Little girl, why so silent?

Do not let the coat of shame 

& rejection

cloak you.

Standing, 

Speaking,

Sharing.

We were born to be courageous,

We were born to lead the way.

To be the generation

to finally make a change.

Change that is needed, 

that has been sitting 

behind the door, 

waiting to be opened.

The handle has dust in its crevices,

its paint is faded. 

The hinges strained,

for what is behind it 

has been growing. 

She is strong,

She is willing,

she is a lady, 

Gentle in her approach.

Do not let her well mannered demeanour 

confuse you. 

She is tenacious,

She is mighty. 

She is Holy spirit.

We say ‘in this household we do second,

third, 

and a hundred chances.

We say we will support you, 

and you can always come home.

We say love knows no bounds, 

for who we have birthed, 

Raised,

and whose blood is shared

in veins of skin alike.

This is what I know to be true, 

under the roof I call home.

Under the roof that has shielded me, 

protected me,

and allowed my flame

to be re-lit. 

After spending time in the storm.

The world is scary, 

it's big, 

and its ,curiosity 

will cripple you. 

It's big,

its opportunities 

never cease to set amazements

in souls searching. 

Little girl, what is your soul searching for?

Households next to the one I know, 

households with chandeliers,

paved driveways, 

and every brand of cereal imaginable.

Households that reject,

Judge 

and ridicule

those who have crossed their paths, 

And done some form of act 

so unforgivable.

They build a larger fence, 

add a gate. 

For no one who is not deemed

Un-acceptable

is to add tyre marks 

on such a lovely 

‘welcoming’ 

driveway, 

lined with oak trees.

We watch as hearts harden,

as oxygen is taken, 

as young children learn

the ways of the family. 

Whose blood flows 

towards the heart they once knew 

to be soft and forgiving. 

For it is their household

that they lay their heads down 

on pillows once used 

by parents, 

Guardians,

& role models.

Instructed to forgive

those who have wronged them, 

for in Matthew 5:38 

it says to bear your other cheek, 

or something like that.

Context forgotten,

Deaf ears on those who speak

harsh and powerful words, 

written for love and learning.

Scripture written with the intent

to show a world 

whose flesh teaches them selfishness,

& greed,

Kindness,

& generosity. 

A bible verse thrown,

A slogan from a Sunday sermon used 

to uplift a view point, 

said in fear and trepidation.

Jesus shakes his head, 

the pastor sighs,

as that really wasn’t his intent.

Words used in sermons, 

prayed over,

verses found on pages

folded days beforehand, 

with excitement

that this verse

would talk to someone.

Anyone,

in a Holy way.

Verses now used

to solidify views 

so divergent to the original,. 

Surrounding verses?

thrown away,

like forgotten leftovers, left to spoil in the fridge.

Rotting food 

alike rotting hearts. 

Desperate for air, 

Desperate for the opposite 

of the actions displayed. 

We tattoo, 

Type ‘bio line’s, 

and flow singular verses,

as if that is enough.

No context given, 

We laugh as a small child tells us

the punch line before the joke. 

Yet we do the very same thing with scripture. 

In a world 

with so much access to excess information, 

do not let the weight of singular verse 

take the oxygen out of the flame inside your soul.

Do not let the instruction,

and misplaced guidance 

of a hardened heart 

restrict the fuel 

reaching your flame. 

You may never pick up a bible,

you may never read a scripture, 

you may never stop cursing.

But if your heart shows love, 

if your heart cares,

for its flame, 

for its morals, 

to be just,

and align.

To inspire, 

and show kindness. 

Little girl you win.