I am Lot's wife, I am Herod's daughters, I am Joseph's promised bride.

Tell the story expecting not to see it in real life, and I 

will show you a pillar of salt, a pool run red with blood.

I am Lazarus' daughter, overcome 

with hatred for your body and your soul.

I refuse to rise, I refuse

to let you see the shape of me, lithe

and free and whole: I refuse

to let you take pleasure in my body.

I am David's thousand concubines: captured, purled

into a thousand sunlit poses

to capture your glance or your glare.

I pour resin over bruises, kohl the corners of my eyes.

The damage of you, your fists and 

your dust and your inability to hear me speak, 

will not take root here. I am Samaritan, 

I am come to heal my own.