Hero Poem by Bryan Riley

A comic-book existence
Your life. All
hard lines and
vibrant colors

Skillfully drawn,
brilliantly executed.
No muted, pastel offerings
for you- you are:
fully three-dimensional

Colors so bright it hurts
the back of the eyes
to look upon them.

You applied for the job of
Saving Our Lives-
and why not?
Just look at you:
supremely perfect in
every way.

Unfortunately, I'm afraid
that just won't do-
no, not at all- not here.

You see, around here we
prefer our superheroes-

-flawed.