I am drinking superpower juice
from a coffee mug
to make me strong
and ready to fight
the roaring, scaly dinosaurs
attacking my son
under the dining room table

chasing away dragons,
and fighting for princesses
I have become a superhero
without a cape
in the sparkling eyes of a child
I am brave
and strong
the terrifying creatures
are gone

attacking intruders and
scaring them away
I have won the battle
and the dining room castle is
free from monsters
we can go have ice cream now
with rainbow sprinkles
to celebrate our victory

but will I ever be strong enough
to chase away the dragons
in my soul
that whisper you are gone
and I can no longer feel your warmth
forever is a long time

will I ever win the battle
and not think these thoughts again
that I miss you so much
mom
I wish I were strong
when gentle moments turn silver
and the busy day quiets down

you are the mighty superhero
even without juice
fighting your pain
and suffering
battling the monsters
eating you away
like a wildfire
burning you alive

I roar under the dining room table
back at the castle
but you are the fearless warrior
mom
and I am just struggling,
fighting dinosaurs
because my son believes
I am brave
but the superhero
really, truly,
grandma is