We are all Thieves

We are all Thieves”
Renee Emerson

we are all thieves; we have taken the scriptures in words, and know nothing of them ourselves.” –Margaret Fell

A gospel in the crook
of my arm.

Psalm tucked in my sleeve,
I’ve lifted

windows and broken
latches for Esther, Ruth, Jeremiah.

A long coat to cover
the epistles.

Book of Wisdom beneath the tongue.
Leviticus behind the ear.

Cut open my shoes
for Revelation and Jude.

Tucked in my bra:
a minor prophet.

The words of Jesus glint red
up from the bottom of
my purse, tag-clipped off
with my teeth.

No one will miss this
prophecy.

No one will miss this
lament.