Claiming the Throne

I’d say I’m a version of John Wick / killed 3 men / with a pencil / a fucking pencil / but as a woman / I could manage 4 / more // like I’m Harley Quinn / feeding my hyena / the hands / of men / who touch me / without permission // I’m the Wicked Witch / of the West / avenging / all my sister witches // I’m Rizzo / throwing milkshakes / in the faces of men / who don’t use / condoms // Daenerys Targaryen / on my dragon / erupting / King’s Landing / with fire / flying to the Iron Throne / my birthright // Regina George / men / can’t sit with us // Maleficent / Mistress of all Evil / protecting / fairies in Moors / from men / and stealing / back my wings / he tore / off / my shoulder blades // Queen of Hearts / for every man / who interrupts / me / off with their heads // I’m all 3 Sanderson Sisters / another glorious morning / to hang the boys / that called us / chicks / inside cages / strung from the ceiling / twirling / beneath them / cackling // Bianca Stratford / I punch / his nose / at the prom / that’s for my sister / kneeing / him in the crotch / and that’s for me // Debbie Jellinsky / future widow / laughing in the car / my cheating / husband bought / as the present I gave / explodes / in his arms // Ursula / Sea Witch / teaching Ariel / a voice / is more important / than any prince // I’m Lilith / think Chilling Adventures of Sabrina / Lilith / I never really get the credit I deserve / slitting / throats / of teenage boys / who force / themselves on girls / women are taught to fear power / I trap Satan / in a body / overthrowing / him / and his coven of men / claiming the throne / hell / for myself / for all witches / for all women / they couldn’t / hang / burn / silence

B.M. Owens was born in Hollywood, Florida. She is working on an MFA and teaching Assistantship at Florida International University. She is Poetry Editor for FIU's Gulf Stream Literary Magazine. Her work has been published or is forthcoming in Salamander Magazine, Pittsburgh Poetry Journal, and Jai-Alai Books' Waterproof Anthology. She has also been nominated for the 2021 Pushcart Prize.