I Rise

did you think to burden me
with all those hoops you threw
saying jump through these
juggle them if you dare

well here I am
blood red and unbowed
Zeus I do not fear you
I await your thunderbolts

raise my arms in triumph
like those champions of Heracles
proudly show the triumph of my labours
I shaped them to my will

I rise to meet the sun
strike me if you wish
you cannot miss me
defiant joyful

hoops … what hoops?
these are my playthings
see how I hold them