"white and smooth"

she was made to be filled
purposed and designed
named with destiny
“pale and smooth”
a vessel to house treasure and holy things
an alabaster jar

but an insidious insinuation was introduced

whispering disparagement and lechery
"not a holy vessel--a dumpster"
renamed and repurposed for this reality

so she was filled
with a vile stench; putrid fumes.
with an acrid taste; rancid spirits.

with a grievous sensation; despoiled

with a heart like a house of horror;

its walls crawling with mold,

dripping with cigarette tar,

and riddled with carved words

what of those words spoken so long ago?

and the knock she was afraid to answer...

too ashamed to open that long shadowed door
"No, it's ME! Your FATHER! Open up!"

but she'd known two fathers before
one was named Abandonment...
and the other Abuse...
what manner of man meant to greet her now?

still yet, she suffocated and suffered
until her tongue atrophied and her spirit asphyxiated
"Help me!" she choked. "HELP ME."
And HE came and carried her out of shame.
"Come to My house, I will build you a new home."

That place burned to the ground that day,
to soot on her eyelashes
and cinders in a colorless mound
"What is your name?" she asked in wonder.
"Amends."
"It's a pleasure to make Your acquaintance, Amends."