rose oil laughter

she, her, His

[roseoillaughter]

blank canvas

you are not sullied

you are not spoiled

you are not a fraction of who you were

before all the mess

before all the mistakes

they handed you

a sheet of paper,

tore it as a metaphor

gave a piece to each romantic partner

until you were left

with only a sliver

they said that's all you would be

if you gave yourself away

listen, daughter

to my voice--

shame is not my method of teaching

my instruction comes through redemption,

healing and grace

I did not just restore you

I redeemed you.

I have made you new.

You are washed clean, child.

l

l

l

what You said to me

in my shame over my past,

my dirty choices--

where I felt embarrassed, ashamed, disgusting

You wipe me clean.

You love a blank canvas.

-k

[roseoillaughter]

sitting at the table

Your table is welcome to me,

an invitation to eat freely,

a gift of communion.

our relationship is one of breaking bread,

of talking to one another

about how the day went;

we share, we laugh, we dine.

Your table is one of belonging

and vulnerability

here we commune

here we confide--

how effortless it is,

breaking bread with You

for all my days,

and ever after,

here I will be:

sitting at Your table.

[roseoillaughter]

rose oil laughter

ours is a romance

every page of my life

is crinkled by tender hands

folded in are pressed wildflowers;

each chapter turns in the cadence of season

and Your fragrance is that of

rose oil laughter.