Love Poem: The Vipress
Kathleen Austin Avatar
Written by: Kathleen Austin

The Vipress

My scales are stars gleaming in the water. 
My body is the river you cannot cross. 
I am massive. I am the moon. 
I will not shrink or shirk 
away the love you made me fearful of. 

I shed this skin you once peppered with adoration.  
I’m perhaps larger, but more beautiful,
more powerful than before. 
I am without you. 

I am not fashioned of your rib, no, it’s
parthenogenesis; I birthed my own self. 
I never needed you 
or the silver words of deceitful lips. 
I am the decider of destiny. 
I am not afraid. I’m oiled with venom of my own. 
I am God. I rule this life and you
cannot take my garden away from me.