If a Woman Were a Gun

If a woman were a gun

You would cradle her

And run the roughest parts of your palms

Over every cold inch and curve.

You would savor her

And inhale the sobering scent

Of gunpowder, dusted at the tip

Of her barrel.

If a woman were a gun

You would stuff her

Full of bullets, affix

A scope to her crown,

And shroud her mouth in a muzzle

So your targets can’t hear

Her spit, the projectiles

You had the honor of filling her with.

If a woman were a gun

You would protect her,

Read every constitutional appendix

And quote your bible in her name.

You would wave her

On the steps of the capitol, smiling.

If a woman were a gun

You would use her.

Every. Fucking. Day.

And after she was cleaned

And polished, you would lock

Her away. from the thoughts

Of revolt. never let her

Take the chance

To nestle on your lips

(2022)