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Writer's pictureMolly McTernan

'the white dress you gave me' by Ava Hope

Photo credit to Samantha Gades on Unsplash.


 

Today, I have the pleasure of hosting Ava Hope on my blog! She is a fellow poet and friend of mine, and the two of us decided to do a poem swap on our websites. You can read my poem and learn more about Ava at avahopeauthor.com, but until then, enjoy her piece!


 

that white dress you gave me


you found me in the ashes 

not of a fire pit but a hellscape 

burned 

bleeding 

naked 

disfigured 

untouchable 

I reeked of hatred and of garbage 


I struck you 

I cursed you 

I spat on you 

I screamed for fear of the abuse I would receive in return 


but you kissed me 


so I grew very still 

and I wondered who you were 

that you would be so kind 


I showered you with ashes 

I told you to leave 

I constructed a wall between us 

I screamed for fear of never getting to experience such an act of affection again 


but you reached out to embrace me 


so I wept 

and I wondered who you were 

that you would be so tender 


I kicked 

I writhed 

I despised myself 

I screamed for fear of you pushing me away because I was dirty beyond redemption 


but you took me home to wash me and gave me a white dress to put on 


so I stared in shock

and I wondered who you were 

that you would see my ugliness and make me beautiful 


I fingered the fabric 

I looked in the mirror 

I saw someone redeemed 

I screamed for fear that this was all an illusion 


but you asked me to dance 


so I let you take my hand 

and I wondered who you were 

that you would rescue me from the ashes to call me your own


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mct911
Aug 06

The white dress reminds me of the marriage supper of the Lamb in heaven with Jesus!

Revelation 19:7  Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. (8) And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.

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sara noelle
sara noelle
Aug 05

This is so beautiful, Ava! 😯💜 I love it so, so much. Well done! It's inspiring. 🤗

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Ava Hope
Ava Hope
Aug 05

Thank you for doing this swap with me, Molly! < 33

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shardsofrhythmanddreams
Aug 05

Whoa...This is beautiful.

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Melody Polar
Melody Polar
Aug 03

I love this poem! Beautiful, beautiful job, Ava!💖

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