A Heroine's Lament

By Gabby Bloyd

As a child,

She was often ridiculed for being “too wild.”

She zipped and leapt and whooped and waved,

And fought very hard for the city she saved.

She stayed up almost every night

To study Marvel heroes with her little flashlight. 

Sworn to protect the citizens of her home,

She longed to wear a cape of her own.

Time flies by and ten years have passed,

And being a hero is no longer a blast.

Her toolbelt is nothing like when she was young;

Now from her belt a rape whistle is hung.

If alone on the street, she chases the light

And avoids every shadow, afraid of male appetite. 

From between her knuckles, jagged keys jut out;

She’s ready to strike without any doubt.

Always on edge, she glances around,

Awaiting a villain to come beat her down.

As fear invades her heart and tears prick her eyes,

She wonders if heroes are supposed to be this terrified. 

By Gabby Bloyd