what makes a hero?

I have never been much
impressed by dragon-slaying knights
or by men who aspire
to be such.

For what does that require,
really, but a long sword or spear
and a marked deficiency
of adequately assessing risk?

Show me instead
the one who tirelessly woos
the savage beast,
approaches
and befriends it,
not so much taming the creature,
which is by nature untamable,
but building instead a mutual trust
and affection, gaining an ally
of immeasurable power
and strength.

This, my friend, is a feat
worthy of legend,
and you may mark my words,
if ever accomplished and immortalized
in story and song, we will sing
of no man,

but woman.