MARK GORSUCH

FLESH & BLOOD: AN ODE TO EUCHARISTIC LOVE

“Whoever eats my my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in them”-John 6:56

Flesh of my flesh, 
blood of my blood.
My bountiful wine-press, 
my lovely little lamb.
My life is in your blood; 
my blood is gone.
Tormented and delighted, 
“Take, eat; this is my body, 
given up for you.”
I seek only to devour, 
and be devoured by you
whose very flesh is sacred.
Consuming my consumer;
masticating hidden divinity. 
I breathe in your essence,
having forgotten the taste of air.
“I adore you”
bitterly and ravenously;
a gnawing love, lust incarnate.
Pangs of hunger rack my body,
empty achingly awaiting you.
You wound and sustain me.
Receiving you is receiving
grace.
With my body, I thee worship;
lips part
with my teeth, I thee afflict;
with my tongue, I thee taste.
I beg you to dwell in me,
and I in you.

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MARK GORSUCH IS A BLACK, QUEER, ROMAN CATHOLIC POET, AND SOCIAL WORKER LIVING IN NORTHEAST OHIO. HIS WORK HAS APPEARED IN THE BLACK FORK REVIEW, ANTHOLOGY MAGAZINE, AND ENFLESHED’S LITERARY AND VISUAL ANTHOLOGY HELD. MARK STUDIED RELIGION, SOCIAL WORK, AND SOCIOLOGY AT ASHLAND UNIVERSITY, AND GRADUATED IN 2020.