Let me hold you in my palm—

it’s the only way you’ll celebrate 

this acute perception—a woman 

with a keen eye. My tongue is poniard—

it wants to wound with every flaw I see. 

Tell me you’re not sexy without telling me 

you’re not sexy. Your hips stutter—arms and torso 

arhythmically shimmy as you move through 

the room. Perhaps your humiliation kink 

has bloomed like a bruise, an orchid on flesh. 

As your Queen Bee, I’ll give you what you crave.

The weight of the Dunning-Kruger has curved

your shoulders—has made you believe you are the master

when you are but the humble and simple serf. 

My commands will give you the comfort of velour bedding. 

You may braid my hair, I’ll let you lay at my feet.

My cruel words will wrap around your wrists—

you desire this sort of restraint. You need 

someone to be the Icon you worship, enlighten 

you so you can find your worth in  Shangri-La.



Marisa Silva-Dunbar’s work has been published in Sledgehammer Lit, Better Than Starbucks Magazine, Chantrelle’s Notebook and Pink Plastic House. Marisa is the founder and EIC of Neon Mariposa Magazine. She has work forthcoming in the Eyes Wide Shut anthology “Denmark.” You can find her on Twitter and Instagram @thesweetmaris. You can find more of her work at www.marisasilvadunbar.com.