I. Baptisimal Font
“Just as Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove.” ~ Mark 1:10
I sink,
cross-legged,
to the cerulean mosaic tiled bottom,
a bed of sediment and fragments of past sinners.
They’ve thrown me here,
they annointed with the good news,
blessed with his commandments
a vessel for sin,
treading water half-sober,
look at her hooded gaze,
debauchery clings to her like a parasite.
II. Garments white as snow, pure as a baby’s first breath
“Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” ~ Acts 2:38
There are white silk ties for my hands and feet;
a crucifix to adorn my neck.
I’ve committed an act most profane
they make me kneel, mute and beg for God’s forgiveness
we are all his children,
you must implore him for his healing mercy, you wretched child.
III. Crown of Flowers
" Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned." ~ Mark 16:16
They encircle my head with flowers,
like Jesus’ crown of thorns
give her violets: such a gorgeous shade;
pity it’s in her blasphemous rainbow flag.
They pry my mouth open,
let holy water exorcize my spirit,
drag my soul from beneath my ribs
seduce it to a swift, soundless death.
drink it up, all of it
cleanse her, satan’s thrall,
in death, washed clean
My throat is waterlogged,
my eyes brim with prayer,
they don’t care;
I must hang from their cross,
nails rusting through my palms.
They wanted to stone me,
but Queer needed to die like it never persisted.
look how blood still drips from lips unholy,
she must be wrung of every deviant impulse.
IV. Paschal flame
“He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” ~Matthew 3:11
I will die a martyr,
drinking holy water for air.
I will be buried,
white silk for eyes,
shards of stained glass in my knees,
lips parted around the shape of her name.
V. Certificate of the Sacrament of Holy Baptism
“We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.” ~ Romans 6:4
Post-mortem, they find me with a ring,
clenched in my throat,
a sapphire, faithfully embedded.
Reconcile me with her memory,
let it be known that it was
not their gift of the Sacrament
but her gift of silver.
angel is a singaporean teen poet and chronic procrastinator.