Was led out and bound to a stake, but the bundle of wood would not burn, or the flames parted away from her, whereupon the officer in charge of the troops drew his sword and beheaded her, or, in some other texts, stabbed her in the throat.
i. despising the earthly bridegroom for the love of God
Lust licked me straight to the Sky,
ii. reviving the dead young man through your prayers
My hands pointed up,
iii. not afraid of terrible torments
I was
iv. wishing with joy for death by martyrdom
a kid. My Mother, how the nights are wicked.
v. condemned by the enemy to be burned
Flames bare teeth at my being, but burning
vi. perishing from a murderous hand armed with steel
was not sufficient.
vii. adorned with the palm of victory
My Rawness palmed by Kings,
viii. rewarded with the crown of martyrdom
crowned a detached Cervical.
ix. included in the fellowship of the martyrs of Christ
Womanhood ran up my throat, teeth rusted over
x. placed in the tabernacle of eternal glory
in eternal abandonment, I scream,
xi. our Patroness
but the world hears a Song.
xii. Virgin and Martyr
Thought of my porcelain, martyred skin, a hero,
dangerously woman, lamb of God, Mother,
xiii. preserved her in innocence and gave her the crown of martyrdom in Your glory
I was thirteen.
Magdalena Harlow
Magdalena Harlow is a midwestern poet who levitates towards poetic themes such as decay, yearning, and the complexities of queerness and gender. Along with poetry, Harlow enjoys oversized cardigans, Iris van Herpen, and singer-songwriter, Mitski. Harlow’s poems have appeared in Celestite Poetry Journal and Sad Girls Club Literary Blog.
