VOICES - Ebony Osho (They/She)
Your body is
A temple. But what happens
When this temple is full
Of lurking spirits, trembling from within
Watching watchers, taking pictures
Putting you on display
My body is a temple.
But what happens, when my temple is set on fire
From my head to my feet
Burning, seething within
Forever.
Our bodies are our temple
But this temple refuses to stay calm
All my statues are down
And the air fades to a light, roaring black.
My life clasped to my hands as I burn
Even when I look up towards the gates
That want to free me
Soot fills my eyes
Smoke fills my lungs
And In my demise,
I still want to believe
That my body is a temple.
My body is a temple
But if my body, is my temple
Then why can’t I control it’s movements?
Why can’t I halt its deepest desires
Find a way to untangle the wires
Relinquish it of the by-standing liars
That tell me my temple will never be mine
But oh hey there, this body, is my temple
And as time passes by, I decorate it as I so please,
Adorn it with the finest paint and sheets
And allow who I please, with open arms
Yes I was given this temple but I rebuilt it
Refurbished it to what you see today
So yes, my body, this body
Is a temple, my temple
I quench the bluest fires
Arrange the wires
And put on a damn good show
For tomorrow, I will clean it yet again.
Ebony Osho (they/she) is a Writer and Poet. You can find more from Ebony on Instagram by following @ebony.osho and on Twitter @vickindasexy
This piece by Ebony is part of UKBP Voices ‘Open Diary’ Series. If you would like to share your story with us, please get in contact with us through email – voices@ukblackpride.org.uk.