this goes 2 ways

i stare down the barrel

of a gun

that

whispers my name

as

a

prayer before it sleeps.

i / she speaks

in tones unrecognisable to

natasha now; intonations

of secrets i cannot decipher

if i were beautiful

i would not have to be anything else,

i say breathless,

lungless,

legless against

the glass.

against the looking glass.

i know this is the world’s favourite

prejudice

but i am on my back

on the floor

and

i / he

walks free; without consequence.