Superhero

My mom always told me
"You'll be a superhero
For a little kid one day."

I didn't believe
Something that cool
Was possible for me.

"Me? A superhero?
You're joking"
I said.

I didn't believe
Something that amazing
Was in my future.

But now I do.
I understand now.
What a superhero really is.

It's someone who
You look up to.

Who can make you
See the world
From a different perspective.

I was painting
Hacking away at a canvas
With my paintbrush.

My neighbor came up to me.
A little girl.
Maybe three.

"How did you do that?"
She asked me.
Her big brown eyes shining.

"Do what? It's just paint."
I said back.
Not even looking behind me.

"You picked my favorite colors.
And made a pretty flower."
At that, I looked back.

She was pointing
At my painting.
Eyes full of curiosity.

I asked her
A simple question
Not thinking much of it really.

"Would you like to take it home?
Once it's dried I mean."
Her eyes lit up.

She hugged my legs
Buried her face in my shirt
And giggled nonstop.

At that moment I knew.
That little girl

Though I
Was a superhero.