Katherine Kruger
I am a scarlet woman.
My flaming locks of black-blonde-brown hair
roar and crackle like the hearth of the home
I have been betrayed in.
You wish you knew what was coming
out of my bright red mouth,
lipstick smeared like I’ve gone for blood– I haven’t,
but you could wait and watch how my mood changes.
My anger flips like a switch.
I’ll let you love me; hands roaming, hair tousled,
like a sacrifice to the altar of a pagan god so scarlet
your eyes are burning– I hold that power.
They tell you to fear the bright red women– don’t.
We live like ashes smouldering on the fire as
they burn witches on stakes with rage,
under the delusion flames take away our strength.
I am a scarlet woman
born of fire, anger, and blood.
I will love you with all my ferocity
until I bury you with my flood.