Vulnerability Shielded Poem by Mark Heathcote

A woman the world wants to interview
Oh, I'm just trying to be dramatic.
Brush my hair back, slant my head left from you:
Shed and wipe a starry tear prismatic.
Wave away a helping hand, like I'm strong
Like I'm running this state single-handed
The way all we women do, all year long,
Vulnerability shielded; candid
No, never let down your guard and keep clean-
Your own-back-yard, trust me—I'm your sister.
… Just an Irish American Colleen,
Head full of dreams, wet behind the ears Mr
That's me turning preteen, thirteen—sixteen
Legal and above-board come seventeen.