I dream of heroes
And wish I could be one
To save the world
And be adored

I lived in stories
And movies of
The chosen one the only
Girl who can save us from ourselves

Because the world in front
Of me never saved me
A seat at the table
Never wanted me to be
Freedom was a fable
Saved for only the worthy
And I wasn’t enough for it
Til I prove my place here

So I become the type A
Do it all wonder woman
Chase the dreams and
Be the dream girl for a man
Ambition, fame, and glory
I stepped up to every plate
I batted with the pros thinking
I will make my own fate
Become one of the stars they sewed
On a fabric of bloody battles won
If I’m still standing now,
Will I finally be an American?

I skip all the things that
20 years old do to find
Their purpose so that
I don’t get left behind

I think if I could just get
All my shit together
Ahead of everyone else
I’d prove that I belong here

If I get the house
With the picket fence
Get a dog and neighbors
Marry a classic gentleman
If I have the American dream
In the palm of my hand
Then how can anyone deny
Me of being an American?

I’ll do all the things
Red white and blue
Just like the movies
Say we do
I’ll fight for the weak
For justice and freedom
For what’s right
Even if I stand alone
You’ll all cheer and
Welcome me home
Tell me I belong here
As a true American

But no one cheers
No one’s waiting for me
It turns out heroism
Has certain criteria
And I don’t fit it
I don’t look like it
If I have what it takes
Then I can prove it
Just not too loudly
Not too proudly
But remember to be
A proud American