The life I grew up in
portrayed me and others like me
as princess, damsel in distress,
always awaiting the white knight.
The type-casting never quite fit for me,
as I always wanted to reach for
the sword, the crossbow, the steadfast mount,
thus when I became older I settled
for being the knight,
leading true change and brandishing
a sense of justice of bravery
expected of one such as that.
It wasn’t until later that I
didn’t quite fit that role either,
that as much as I liked being that,
I wasn’t the one to rescue anyone
or stand at the forefront of a battlefield.
Instead of the princess, or the knight,
or even the queen,
I am the monster, the beast many fear.
Awkward, protecting what I consider mine.
Often misunderstood, sometimes hunted,
I am the dragon crouched in my lair,
brooding, turning away any well-intentioned heroes.
The antithesis of all I was told to be
I will not be saved by a white knight,
nor will a princess sway me.
Here in my cavern shall I remain,
occasionally spreading my silver wings
waiting for the soft touch of hand
of the person who chooses to risk my fire
for the fierce protectiveness and tortured compassion
behind the mask of strength and free will,
the rider and compassion I have searched for.

© Johanna Kaye Fugitt 2017