Psalm for the self-hatred

God, I believe you
when you say I’ve fallen
short but I’m not sure about
being wonderfully made. Maybe
God isn’t always as honest as they are
jealous, though who am I for any creator
to want my life dedicated to them? My worst
nightmares end in me being alive.

Marlin M. Jenkins was born and raised in Detroit and is a poetry student in University of Michigan's MFA program. His writings have been given homes by The Journal, Word Riot, The Puritan, and CURA, among others. You can find him online at marlinmjenkins.tumblr.com and @Marlin_Poet.