we'd all
assumed she'd
choke
at the last minute.

boy,
were we
fooled.

she
fought tooth and nail,
chewed through the wires
we used to hold her back.

we placed bets
on when she'd give up.
seventy-five cents
on the dollar.

and what
were we
expecting?

she
swept the house,
walked home a queen,
and shared her wealth.

we thought
she was a girl
disguised
as a monster.

but who
were we
kidding?

she
was a monster
disguised
as a girl.