When Girls Watch Scary Movies

We aren’t as afraid as you think we are,
clinging onto your shirtsleeves as we peer
over your shoulder, eyes squeezed, jaws tightened
as a group of oblivious teenagers fumble around in the dark.
We pretend that the monster or unshaven criminal
might suddenly jump from the screen, that
we are the prey and you, our defender. But while you set yourself
in marble, seemingly unfazed, we are closing our eyes, picturing
a full moon on a clear summer evening, werewolves
replaced by Romeo, Saint George slaying for a princess and honor,
Indy with a whip blazing in hand, Tom Hanks on the top
of the Empire State Building.

You see us not looking and pull us in closer to console us from
this thunderous nightmare, but now rain is splashing
onto our eyelashes, and we are soaked
in Austen’s old England, riding on the backs
of gentlemen’s horses, while a far off voice is assuring us
none of it is real.