happily

everyone told me

to dream of

being a princess

with a crown

billowing veils of lace

and glass shoes

that pinch your toes.

and then they said

a big man

will come

to carry you away

and he will keep you safe.

i never do what i am told.

so i told the man to

get off his high horse

so i can ride.

i said

that i dream of

black hands

instead of

white dresses

and i like pretty things

like blood and swords

and that i do not need

to be saved.

i lived happily

ever after.