Temple

My body is a temple
You tried to tear it down
But now there are flowers growing
Out of formerly barren ground

A sense of violence lingers
And there’s loss there too
Seen in the peeling gold leaf
And mouldering wooden pews

But now there are flowers growing
Sturdy roots deep in the ground
Roses with thorns for grasping hands
Sunflowers with their heads unbowed

My body is a temple
You tried to tear me down
But I won’t be bent or broken
I won’t let you take my crown