standing

another fire breathing beast

brought down by the women encircling his frame

once powerful

dangerous

protected by a fortress he had cunningly built around himself

there he lays

wings clipped

much smaller than he seemed

once girls

they trembled in fear

crying into deaf ears

years later

firmly grounded

despite all attempts to destroy them

despite all the times they were told they were worthless

they stand

together

while declaring their truths

they whisper to all of the other young girls

“never forget how powerful you are”