this body is a place of worship.
I pray to the sunrise in my chest.
this body is a vessel for love.
kiss my knuckles and brush my fingers
across satin scars,
knees and elbows proof of healing.
I am bigger than this body,
like the universe forever expanding,
and I am nothing without this body.
every day I pray to the bones
keeping me up,
and the layers
keeping me warm,
and the skin
holding me always.

this body is mine to love
and it is holy.