Your insatiable consumption bound me– 
 You promised freedom 
 as I offered my body, 
 a tithe to your mission 
 believing eternal salvation would come. 
 
I joined the commune 
 Dismissing the wind 
 Distrusting a world I could not mend 
 
You claimed omnipotence 
 Knowing more than the trees 
 Though they've grown for thousands of years 
 You offered guarantees 
 
Each part of myself 
 Used to spread the good word 
 Weaving my hair into a scarf 
 You claimed as your own 
 
A treasure like gold 
 As you gallivant around 
 Look at this scarf, you say 
 The beauty resounds 
 
My hope for salvation shone so bright 
 My head cold—bald 
 I am righteous 
 For I had done what I was called 
 
Here is my voice, I say 
 A melody so fine 
 You sing out harmonies 
 To draw in people to thine 
 
"And your hands and your feet? 
 So useful and free 
 I'll use them to bring the poor 
 Closer to me 
 
For they are the ones who inherit the earth 
 Yes, this kingdom gives power to me 
 Follow along 
 Your faith will soon be like me" 
 
I hand you my heart 
 A hollowed hole 
 You use staples and tape 
 To mend your own world 
 
I stand there, chest still cut open 
 Crimson-stained tape 
 Confident I am restored 
 Naive to my state 
 
You said, "your eyes reflect meadows on a spring day" 
 Then scooped them from the bone 
 I smiled in the darkness 
 And called it my home 
 
The pews begin to fill 
 Your ego grows larger 
 What more can I offer? 
 Your greed opens wider 
 
"Ah, your teeth 
 Not a cavity in sight 
They reflect the light of God's love" 
 
 I sit pulling my teeth out 
 One by one 
 Dark holes and crevices— 
  a void in my mouth 
 
I come to you and offer my nails 
 To add to the fortress 
 To set up your guardrails 
 To keep people out who do not comply 
 
 So we sit with pliers 
 How I continue to try 
 
"Your skin," someone calls, 
 "will give us great warmth" 
 Off it came– 
 I knew I must be close to the Lord 
 
 You at the table–  
  a feast that was me 
  Devouring, discarding 
  A giant picking his teeth 
 
I say what more can I offer 
 I want to be holy 
 
 "Nothing," you say 
 "You are utterly unworthy" 
 
I gave you my marrow, my teeth, and my song 
 All that remains is my waste 
 To this you say, "you are utterly disgusting 
 "How dare you come before me?" 
 My filth is unwanted. 
 
It is me, I say—your loyal companion 
 Who helped grow 
 Your kingdom, this fandom 
 
"Your skin has holes 
 It's weathered and worn 
 Your nails have broken 
 You've let people inside" 
 
I have nothing left to give 
 So you toss me aside 
 
 In my search for the sacred 
 
 My life was picked dry