I have earned the gratitude of animals.
I pulled out a thorn---
Walked through a rain of kissing frogs,
And now every fox in the forest is on my side.

I'm the smart brunette in the slasher film
Who doesn't take off her underwear.
My birth control has never failed.
I walk barefoot on gravel and I can get by on
Not much sleep.

I know which mushrooms. I hold
The candle -- I know where the cave
Mouth is. Are you following?
I can't come back for you.
The golden path unwinds for only me.

I look in the mirror and know one day,
All of this will be mine.

(c) Dorothy J. Hickson