Warrior Princess

Set the scene

Late at night (around 8 at night)

Nestled with father and sister

In an iron-ended bed

In a room around the corner and a tree

Away from granny’s house

(Father finding independence

In his best friend’s mother’s house),

We turned on the TV.

Review the TV guide

Find the channel

Adjust the antennas

To clear the screen.

The 90s love static

But not more than I love

A certain cold glare.

Falling asleep

But no dreams for me

Little hands gripping

The bed frame

In eager anticipation

Of her next sword swing,

Her attempt to kill guilt.

She could kill gods

But only death can

Kill her shame.

Fast forward

Years later, stonewalling in therapy

With a soul of icy water

And eyes that won’t stop streaming

A throat raw from screams

Unpronounced, falling acidly to a belly

Roiling with waves receding for a tsunami

Broken by a past

That also builds me up.

A past that killed millions

A past that saved millions

A circular sword that

I hate as much as I adore.