…on the other hand,

You asked why I wore

My hair on top of my head 

Rather than down as you prefer 


And while it wasn’t an order, 

You used the same mouth that breathed  

Lost life into me just days before to say it, 

Sucking it right back out. 


A Mermaid’s curse


My generational instinct to comply,

Acquiesced to the request 

To think less of myself, 

Even if your intention 

Was to make me feel more free 


To throw my comfort 

to the nonexistent breeze, 

Shaking out each curl 

Medusa power 

as you speculated it could only be 

Performative to have it leashed, 

Taming my wild 

Against our heat, 

Not because: I just like it that way… 


I’ve lived so many lifetimes in this one 

Discrediting myself

That I know I can’t risk any more 

As it feels like my siren song is waning 


So I put you in the file marked casual 

and casually think to myself 

with as much nonchalance 

as I’ll ever muster 

on the real subject, er object…


Maybe I should try to swim home.

Again.  


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