I sat up late into the night and read,
Inside a room wall-lined with books on books.
I tried to learn the secrets of the stars.
A hero, someone who could be admired —
This was my fervent hope, my secret wish.
But who was I that anyone would love?
For strength and sacrifice, magnetic pull —
The virtues of a man were never mine.
But lost in pages I forgot all that:
And could pretend the universe was mine.