or, The Modern Prometheus

I see myself, waving at the window,
raving with Victor Frankenstein,

I see myself, drunk as all hell,
me drunk, Victor drunk, Victor ready
to sin his way into heaven,

I see myself, staggering baby-like
towards the operating table, fun fact it was

never lightning that brought
the beast to life, but it’s true

that Shelley had a baby and lost a baby
and still wonders if it was her fault,

now I see myself, wavering there,
trembling as I brush the creature’s shoulder,

because it’s not a beast it’s a creature,
and I’ve been wrong ever since I took a breath,

now I see myself, jumping back like a clap
as the creature twitches, Victor pours

a drink and then spits it out because he can,
I see myself flinch, I see myself,

I am married to the creature, I am drunk,
I am holding its head like a heart in my hands

because this seems to be my destiny,
my very moment of birth, Shelley,

I see myself, I’m talking to Victor,
he says I made you I don’t have to love you,

it’s the truth of creation, well
here is mine:

they say Adam came first, but not
this time

Jennifer Jantzen is a writer and educational professional based in Washington, DC. Her poetry has appeared in Alexandria Quarterly. When not working, she dreams of dogs and performs with her punk band, Girls on Toast. You can find her work @stone.fruuit on Instagram.

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