Maria Giesbrecht

HOPE TRACT

after Ocean Vuong

“I praise you because I am fearfully

and wonderfully made”—Psalm 139:14

Because there is no hatred between a bee’s knees

and the pollen. Hey. I am cut

throat and I admit flowers are still beautiful

         outside of a crumbling cathedral. Because the chords

in my throat drowned in hymns long before

         I was baptized in my boyfriend’s pond.

Because I will always need to share

         a little gospel. I  memorized

the stem, the stamen, and the pistil. I sank

         my knees into the soft, yellow of hope—

felt the good news spread.

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