growing up i
always wanted
to be a "princess"

but princesses have
smooth porcelain skin
and golden hair so long
that it falls past their knees
and flows out their windows.

it's annoying really,
and they don't cut their hair.
they refuse.

how else could a prince reach them
without pulling their hair
with their callused fingers
until their scalps
are writhing in agony.

right?

well,
i have short, soot black hair
with scaly skin, sharp enough to
cut through steel.

and i know that
doesn't sound like
a princess at all

but deep down,
past my forked tongue
guarded by my searing breath,
in the deep abyss
of my stomach

i promise you
there's a princess.