Danez Smith

forgive me father for I have called another man my daddy
who was not my father. forgive me father for I have lied
my knees down at his denim altar.

forgive me father for I have begged him to bless me
with what he saw fit to bless me with (I showered after).
forgive me father for I have knelled

beside my bed and opened my mouth. forgive me
if it looked like prayer, for giving away your mouth.
here lord, take my tongue.

take the black of my gums. take eight teeth.
take my top lip.  take the space between my tonsils.
I stuffed them in my throat

to make it easier for you to take them home.
this is my offering. do what you will: build a fire,
feed pigeons, leave them

on the front step of the last man I called your name
and let soil the vestibule of your temple.