Sonnet for a Superheroine
(For Karen, on the Occasion of Her Birthday)

Her origin is not so secret, she
Was a girl, like many others; but when
The little girls were taught that they must bend,
She schooled herself in ways to disagree.
She chose red over pink, and skinned her knee,
Running so fast she almost flew, and then
She knew she was strong, knew she could defend
Her silenced sisters – she could set them free.

She has no costume, doesn’t wear a mask,
And her weapons are not knives, or guns, but
Words; carefully chosen and swiftly hurled.
For daring to speak, she’s called bitch and slut –
Why does she do it then, this thankless task?
Because somebody has to save the world.

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