The Missing Text of the Gospel of Judas

Salvation:
                                                     [a door opening onto another door]

        [the music of 72 luminaries bringing forth
            5 additional luminaries to make a full
            rotation. The self-begotten, I am, a threshold.
            No other way, except through fire. People
            become the God(s) they worship. Devour
            light to be light. Every child is the knob
            turning inward. The language of swallow-
                        ing. forever.]

      [joyful / joyful]   

 
Alternative Salvation I:
                                                                   [here, take your missing]

        [fornication—that loud dress of stitched together
            crows. You in the center of how hard wings
            beat when feet are tethered. Lick your hand,
            taste how he would have. In the wild orange
            poppies, your (un)conceived daughter is reading
            a script sprawled across the blue wall above
            her. She translates the word. All is understood.
                        All is mutually felt.]

      [it is. / it is.]   

 
Alternative Salvation II:
                                                                   [there is your lost]

        [propped in a chair. Her face covered in dust.
            She’s been waiting for the spider to finish
            spinning her a silver jacket. She’s quit
            the task of opening her eyes. She can’t see
            you. Now is your chance. The spider stops
            its movements—turns toward you. You feel
            that spool of yarn in your throat unraveling.
                        I love you]

      [she hears you / she believes you]






Click here to listen to Nicelle Christine Davis reading "The Missing Text of the Gospel of Judas"

Nicelle Davis lives in Lancaster, California with her husband James and their son J.J. She is currently an MFA candidate at the University of California, Riverside. She teaches at Antelope Valley College. Her poems are forthcoming in A cappella Zoo, elimae, Bad Light, Moulin, Redactions, Umbrella, and Verdad. Her favorite color is yellow.