A year ago I asked my therapist if she had any advice on how to live Catholic and Queer
today the revelation struck that my macabre upbringing has formed me for adoration
I learned in church how to anoint myself,
how to love in purity

and so now I love Her reverently, She becomes a pendant upon my forehead
I need no pinned scroll to declare my love, neighbors simply look into my eyes and read my true affections
for She is always on my mind

and though I have no personal angel to purify my mouth with burning coal,
my lips still burn for Her, yearn for Her
solely speaking in sweet Benedictions for Her

and like the stiff-necked Hebrews, my soul and spirit are split open in Her Presence
my very marrow fills with devotion and I fold
wholly Hers

and so I love and exalt Her the only way I know how
with consecrated mind, lips, and heart