I want a new kind of baptism

That cleanses me of my past

And tears away every touching hand

burning the flesh from their clutching fingers

I want a new kind of baptism

That drowns every molested moment

In the fresh living waters of my present

So that I can watch their bloated bodies

Floating face down in the stagnant pools

Filled from the cuts they made

As they carved my innocence into oblivion.

I want an angry,  vengeful baptism –

A bonfire to burn their bones to dust

While I dance naked in the freedom

I found within without them.

Those chains I’ve thrown to the ocean’s bottom –

May they rust in pain forever.