Where faith, ritual, and recovery are turned over like soil.
Sanctified Dust
I used the wrong bathroom today I did so to avoid conflict with family at a church with only gendered bathrooms I open the door greeted with the sight and smell of free janitorial labor I am a woman in a yellow sleeveless dress walking past the urinals I have
Sanctified Dust
I'm wearing my pink sports bra and pinker girl shorts graceful legs my CrossFit on display I love my body I love my skin I would not wear this if I still clung to the men saying— cover up you are causing me to sin to those men
Sanctified Dust
is not the tight pants the patch of skin the crop top the two piece the belly the breast the vulva the cleavage is the fear the shame the atonement the forgiveness the purity the virginity the patriarchy electrodes quietly programming boys’ minds into lust and girls into submission
Sanctified Dust
he sits generations of dust mix as he rocks parents smile placing their children upon his lap his sagging breasts suckling all ages rhythmic rocking keeping them soothed while the wood creaks out music
Sanctified Dust
a friend recounting her childhood trauma closes with a familiar scripture they didn't know any better the author of sin smiles these words keep him safe our heavenly father he gives us fear he gives us shame the trauma giver obeys the Father forever turning the children to
Sanctified Dust
efficiency profitability conformity 1830AD
Sanctified Dust
I swim where it bites my family atop the back joined by a mass of people each person holding a rope ropes twisted in knots leading to the head the people pull the ropes steering the ancient relic wrought using the swords rusted by once oxygen rich blood endless iron
Sanctified Dust
reduced to an object because I'm a girl a rose a board a cupcake a piece of gum something for others to manipulate to consume to display to value an adornment for the priesthood from youth to wife to death bed dangling purity at the arms of men
Sanctified Dust
my friend was cut by finger eyes she wasn't even ten a knife leaves blood a trace of believability blood brings healing she didn't bleed a closed up cut left to swim in her heart it's been twenty years new fingers cut others she
Sanctified Dust
a woman's sexual purity is a garbage dump for patriarchy an uncontrolled mind seeks control I don't like my sins so I seek someplace to put them the boneless hand opens words swarm like flies: here is a woman made to carry your burden if you
Sanctified Dust
hold an object a blue smooth marble rolling in your palm slightly cool bounds and limits a container movement direction shape size governed by physics a reduction outward measurements as you look a woman walks towards you she asks a question what does it matter?
Sanctified Dust
I don't know why I'm a trans woman I Who Have Never Known Men a prisoner in my body transitioning allows me sunlight and like in the book my prison follows me answers aren't real knowledge reveals more questions so I keep seeking I