my hard-won mythology
yes.
i am fluent in the language of flowers
and know how to speak in numbers.
i have stalked game along with artemis-
and i did not bow before the beast.
i have won wars attributed to athena-
and i will fight for her again.
i have stared deep into the sullen eyes of medusa
and i did not turn to stone.
i am a purple-haired pandora-
their curses passed to me some time ago
sweetly, as a gift…
i’ll show my hard-won armor off in battle
while none of you thought to carry shields.