Dark Knight

A poem about escaping despair

Photo by ActionVance on Unsplash

This poem is part of the NaPoWriMo 2024 challenge to write a poem a day in April. This is the prompt for April 23:

Today, we’d like to challenge you to write a poem about, or involving, a superhero, taking your inspiration from these four poems in which Lucille Clifton addresses Clark Kent/Superman.

As a child, trapped in shadows,
Where darkness and despair overwhelmed,
Amidst the torment of her life,
She found solace in Batman, 
That dark symbol of justice and might, 
Her beacon in the depths of night.

Day by day, she would escape,
Into a world where Batman,
A doppelgänger in her hopelessness,
One who conquered his own darkness,
Would rescue her from the bruises.
In dreams, she’d witness Batman’s flight,
Soaring through the sky, his cape streaming,
A glimmer of hope in her darkest hour.
With a rush of wind, Batman would descend,
His unwavering gaze and steady hand,
Guiding her through desolate terrains.
Together, they’d explore rooftops tall,
Scaling skyscrapers, touching the sky.
She’d taste freedom, soaring like a bird.

For, in the world built in her mind, 
Batman shielded her pain,
A fortress against the storm, her rock-place.
Within her mind, she escaped into a new world,
A refuge, a sanctuary where she could be free.
Believing in a hero, hope ignited,
Guiding her through her deepest pain.

As she continued to dream and yearn,
Her spirit grew stronger and she learned,
That even in the deepest despair,
Hope could emerge, a healing light.
For within her mind, she holds the key,
To a world of hope, where she’s forever free.

Author’s Note

Marvel fans might say I should have chosen Daredevil instead of Batman. Folks, there is room for all super heroes, caped or otherwise, in my world.

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