monday poem #185: Ursula K. Le Guin, "My Hero"
I love Le Guin's fiction and nonfiction, but until recently I hadn't read any of her poetry. I'm glad I've fixed that.
My Hero for Caroline
Hesitant, frozen by the face
reflected in her shiny borrowed shield,
my hero stands-
and does she drop the sword?
Does she behead herself?
No. There are better things to do
with anger, with beauty,
with a headful of serpents
who can hiss wisdom; there must
be a story for my dear young hero.
It will not be the old story.
- Ursula K. Le Guin
from Going Out With Peacocks and Other Poems
My Hero for Caroline
Hesitant, frozen by the face
reflected in her shiny borrowed shield,
my hero stands-
and does she drop the sword?
Does she behead herself?
No. There are better things to do
with anger, with beauty,
with a headful of serpents
who can hiss wisdom; there must
be a story for my dear young hero.
It will not be the old story.
- Ursula K. Le Guin
from Going Out With Peacocks and Other Poems