Hero 

by Tina Wong 1993

 

Me, I’m the one with the innocent smile

The well-behaved, thoughtful angel

Athene, the goddess of wisdom

 

Me, I am no beautiful Helen

My visage won’t stir the goddess Bellona

I don’t have the greatness of Cleopatra

But maybe the selfishness

 

And I’m not one to be taken over by Aphrodite

I’m not the beautiful priestess Hero or tragic Juliet

End my life for the sake of love? Never!

 

Me, I’m no sports heroine

I can’t catch a ball or hit a home run

I’m always the last one chosen for a team

Atlanta would find running against me a breeze

 

Me, I don’t have the wit of Ariadne

The psychic ability of Cassandra

Or the humour of the Muse Thalia

My heroic talents are nought

 

But I have been with hero Odysseus

I have journeyed with him to

Vietnam, Hong Kong, New Zealand and Australia

We have fought against the one-eyed monster in the cupboard

The evil dog-headed creature under my bed

 

Me, I have looked up into the amazing skies of Urania

Dreamt of meeting Iris at the end of the rainbow

And having a box of blessings like Pandora

 

Me – yesterday I was dreaming

Today I am advancing

Tomorrow, achieving

If you’d like to know more of me,

Drop by the Prince Court Chinese Restaurant at Yeronga

I’ll tell you all about me

All my wishes, dreams and goals

Come sail with me and Odysseus

Sail with us to the land of success

 

Me, I’m the one with the outrageous childhood dreams

The one to be the hero of fulfilling them