How cruel that a creature devised from
his scriptures
Defies all the beauty Prometheus pictured.

The curse of a body snakes up through
her bones,
Her face, a fate worse than turning to stone.

I’d shatter a mirror for being too honest,

For showing a girl who’s less than
a goddess.

I’d split through her lips or tug out her teeth
Or peel back her heels to find something
beneath.

I’d squeeze out her skin if it meant
seeing blood,
Pick her insides apart 'cause there’s nothing
above.

I’ll reach down her throat, fingers clutching
at clay
And hope against heaven that I’ll be
unmade.

Scream, Athena, you rebel, you insurgent
student,
How dare you breathe life in an imperfect
human.