THE REBIRTH

**Thankful to the people I spoke to after my show Saturday night, who inspired this poem.**

They tell me I'm
the new church on the block
built different from any other
my tongue
a rarefied bible
whose narratives be simultaneous
swing-pull-hug
knock ’em out the pew
with one blow
their self-loathing
a dune of hazardous waste
upon the floor
exposed
unable to deny
a frightful sight
then
embolden them
to dust off their dismay
stand up confidently and
turn to The Book of Empowerment
Chapter 7, Verse 24
which states:
Honor thy spirit
and thou shall glide through the storms of life
and reside among the peaceful and free
endowed with renewed faith
and mended esteem

They say my word
be a same-day funeral-Baptism-wedding
lay their broken lives to rest
dismembered souls strewn wildly
amid closed caskets
unfit for viewing
dip their feeble spirits
in the cool
refreshing proverb
of hope
deliver them from
the sin of self-harm
walk their rehabilitated beings
down the aisle
give them away
to begin a repaired life
with their healed self
to love and cherish
for better or worse
in sickness and health
forsaking all others'
negative perceptions
judgments
and commentary
for as long as they shall live

They whisper to me
in confession

their grievous yearning

for emotional stability
ask how to forgive themselves
for decades of self-induced mistreatment
howl in anguish
ashamed of the mess they've made
of their psyche

Until I direct them
to The Book of You
Chapter 9, Verse 16
which states:
Thou canst do all things
through the courage residing within
forgiveness reigns when 

remorse of self-denigration is felt
changed behavior employed
and acceptance of imperfection pursued

Thou art in command
thou hast choice
choose self-love

They declare my sermons
be anointed
affirmations of worthiness
truth-bearing mirror on the wall
promising underneath
the inner decay and downfall
lives the fairest self of them all
ready for introduction
to the world

They rise from their seats
gather their properly adjusted crowns
self-respect
flood my collection plate
with appreciation and delight
exit the sanctuary
turnt up
blessed with the spirit
of
I AM
capable
I AM
deserving
I AM
enough
I AM
LOVE

©2022
Charlene E. Green