Once
I knew a girl
or should I say,
she once knew me?
She saw something in me
something good and just
someone who could please her
someone she could have loved.

She was a warrior princess
a hero who offered me adventures
and excitement and risky derring-do
and she asked me
if I would join her
and she looked at me
with her brightest eyes
and waited for me to say “I do,”
and
I didn’t.

I ran
far away and fast I could
for her adventures were too much
and not all of us
can fly among the stars.
Some
must remain behind
to stare after them.

Do I regret my choice?
Of course.
I wish I were a man
worthy of a warrior princess
– who was also a sex-addicted model
and scientist –
but I more regret my nature
which made me one
only fit
to stay in place
while the stories are told around me.