I am the female Horatio
trapped in the shadow of the prince
like everyone else you fell for
him, the golden boy, the love
your father would approve of

unlike me, a silver-hearted, awkward
girl
that can’t say what she means
while time runs away
with hopeless snatches of dreams

I know full well that I am cold
where he is hot—I am silent
when he speaks
and he was bathed in greatness
from birth

(I know your prince
I know him well, I know
his mind—he doesn’t
dream of you in day, in night)

I could be him, I could
beat him—give me a crown
I could be a girl-king
if you would only ask it of me
we could be two sides of the same
Janus-faced coin

(I just want to hold your hand
and flee this poisoned land)

beautiful Ophelia, don’t you know
you’re not the only one
drowning
in Denmark’s gilded cage.