They called it an issue, like giving it a polite name would make it, well, more polite.

Untouchable, unapproachable, unlovable.
Lifeforce hemorrhaging from the place of intimacy.  Touch denied, Touch prohibited, Touch blocked.

Trampled , hidden, gossiped.
Deactivated, demeaned, devalued
Thing she couldn’t control. Didn’t do. Couldn’t help.

Covenants with charlatans, witch doctors, healers. Other supposed lovers and brothers. Sisters with cupped ears.
Still drawing from the well alone

Promises broken. Spirit torn. Heart pounded to dust. Body begging to become ashes

Penniless, pointless, purposeless

Dragging the contents of her belly  through the dust deemed for the devil, perfected by the devil, designed by the devil.

Decided. Determined. Devoted.
Above the crush of sandals
Amongst the unwashed and unchanged delivering unclean verdicts

She heard of One in need of one
who would find virtue in just one
Hope, Healing, Whole .
A touch
to be touched
to release the touched
to touch the untouched.