Lavender's Dungeon

Getting over him was simple

I did not allow myself to fall deeper

Than an afternoon puddle

–

When depth is not reciprocated

It is easier to swim to the surface

Knowing he won’t bother pulling you down

–

He longed for me to be a statue

Molded by the hands of a long-forgotten artist

Sinking forever

–

As I drown in cream sheets

He softly caressed my leg

You are a Renaissance woman

–

He viewed me

As a woman of talc marble

Smoothed by the sands of time

–

Yet he wasn’t prepared

For my heart, forged of stone

Unable to try again

–

When I was mortal

I would drown for men

Fill my lungs with wet fire

–

Tying rocks to my ankles

Knot after knot

Fusing the ropes together

–

As I struggled for air

I watched men I loved

Dangle the shears above my head

–

My last seconds of life

Eyes panic-stricken

Frantic

–

At the bottom of the sea

They tossed their heads back

Another body to feast upon

–

With him I refused

–

I stood at the edge of a pool

A statue in her stillness

I threw in the rocks

–

Refusing to drown again