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.