Jealous molecules cling on to their exes. The amorphous film of water over my skin makes me shine. Fanged mermaids patrol the drooling shoreline. I, too, am dangerous, and I do not budge. Their eyes glow. My hair is autonomous, and flows toward one’s neck, strangling her. Men are a myth here. In my dreams last night I stood at the edge of a haunted wilderness I’ve only ever seen in my slumber. The abandoned house slick with demonic intent was across the marshy field. For the first time, I did not cross the field into the ramshackle shack. This place follows me. And when you feel the essence of evil breathing behind you, watching and enjoying your fear, you fear nothing after that. Pink and poisonous, I taunt the remaining mermaids into surrender.
