Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out,
so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord,
and that He may send Jesus Christ, who was preached to you before,
whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things,
which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets
since the world began.                            Acts 3:19,20,21

That one thing we deserve, I dare to name:
Death, and then deathless torment in the flame.

But first, let go of bad theology
(all well-meaning misanthropology)

then send yourself a gentle gift, like this:
click: narcissistic selfie mirror-kiss.

The brightest song a body’s ever held?
The one that that broke your waters where they swelled.

You summon joy; that bitch stayed out too long.
Ashamed, she hastens, staggering along . . .

I’d be content to have (besides some wings),
just this: the Restoration of All Things

And then to you, if it were mine to give,
I’d give forgiveness. Seek the Lord—and live.

What do you deserve? Name it. All of it.
What are you ready to let go of? Name that too.
Then name the most gentle gift for yourself.
Name the brightest song your body’s ever held.
Summon joy like you would a child; call it home. It wanders, yes. But it’s still yours.
What would you give yourself, if you could have anything?
What would you give someone else?

PROMPT # 7