"she who is brave is free"

she sleeps with a knife under her pillow

she says to cut the bad dreams out.

she turns on all the water

because she's afraid of drought.

she opens all the windows

because she wouldn't want a flood.

and she never goes outside

because she's afraid she'll slip in mud.

she eats everything well done

so her stomach wont churn.

but she'll never use the stove

because she thinks she'll get a burn.

she'll never use a microwave,

no, thats not the answer.

she doesnt even own one

because shes afraid of getting cancer.

she used to make toast

until she learned of electrocution.

and she will not use an oven

because she thinks it'll cause pollution.

she doesnt dry her hair

because shes afraid of an explosion.

and shes never tasted sugar

because she fears enamel erosion.

she mostly sits inside

and writes pretty stories

about the life she imagines outside

and all of its glories.

she writes in pen

(non toxic of course)

because she heard about lead

and the pencil, its source.

she'd like to see if her stories are true

because no one wants to write lies.

her only wish is to be brave enough

to get up and go outside.