Page by Page

I was born with this body
breasts, cunt, curves and a certain
softness
that means I can't be the

action hero
the savior
the martyr

stuck in the same four
stereotypes:
mother,
whore,
virgin,
bitch.

But if I were the person
reading the paper manuscripts
aching, yearning, screaming
to be books, to be read
I don't think I would brush off
those hopeful female heroes

as though they can't
add up.