You are in the presence of a dangerous woman,
one unashamed of her blood--
I'll smear it on your fucking face.
Unafraid of my own voice--
I'll use any voice I want (maybe steal yours)
Unapologetic for my rage--
consequences
You've been warned
(a million times, yes, I know)
Flouting with bravado how flippant
you can be in the face of danger,
taunting it like the world's
worst show-off casting
his own shadow
on a caged lion.
Come closer, little boy.
Make faces at me,
jeer and sneer in my face, expecting
everything to keep the stasis
you're so infatuated with.
I anticipate with glee
the shock and blood on your face
when you come too close to my bars
and my claws find the space between,
slashing out loud,
shaming you.
🦁
*Author note: “casting his own shadow” was stolen on the spot from Caitlin Charlton’s thoughtful comment and edited in immediately. Love at first sight with that phrasing. If I win anything, I promise to tip out.
About the Creator
Harper Lewis
Intrusive rhyme bothers me, except as a weapon.
Intertextuality is my passion.
Formalist/ New Critical are my guiding theories.
My words are mine, not a robot’s.
MA English literature, CofC
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