by Carol Edwards

I am Mary
possessed of demons
freed
to kiss your hands and feet
weep
at your absence from me

I am Judas
betrayer’s kiss
trade you for a silver chain
on which to hang
a heart shattered
bloodstained

I am Peter
bluster and zeal
denier in the face of fire
tormented, driven
before wolves of shame
dying each second
until Love reclaims

I am Paul
mocker of the infinite
blinded mind and eyes
half holy, half despise
the thing imperfectly I know
cast down
my murder made to own

I am Sarah
powerful in beauty
yet impotent
amused at miracles
as though such could truly be
golden vows of Life
trod under my feet

I am Noah
building beyond my means
obedience
heralded pipe dreams
restraint
willfully misconceived

I am David
jealous to possess God’s heart
songs and poetry
from my fingers flow
yet lust, wet and warm
sighs in my eyes
my worship profaned, defiled

I am Eve
innocent and naïve
for freedom greedy
by flattery deceived
one bite
the Broad Road gate opens wide

I am Adam
unique in Being
unsatisfied
as an image of God
forever driven away,
my spirit to decay
until at last pierced by the Son.

Carol Edwards is a northern California native transplanted to southern Arizona. She lives and works in relative seclusion with her books, plants, and pets (+ husband). She grew up reading fantasy and classic literature, climbing trees, and acquiring frequent grass stains. She enjoys a coffee addiction and aspires to be a succulent mad scientist. Her work has appeared in a variety of publications, most recently in Open Skies Quarterly and Trouvaille Review, and forthcoming in Otherwise Engaged Literature and Arts Journal.