She stands there, my little girl, in her self-invented realm. The dress—a bit too big, the sword tip resting in the grass. She mutters words that no one but her understands, fights invisible enemies and wins. There is no fear in her eyes, no doubt – only courage.

I look at her and hope that the world will leave her as she is now: fearless, free, full of imagination. That no one will tell her later what is appropriate for a girl and what is not. Today she can be a warrior, tomorrow perhaps a queen—or simply herself.

And as she continues to fight, I feel the quiet sting of the future. How often will her dreams become even quieter because the world is too loud? I hope she never completely lays down her sword—neither the wooden one nor the one in her heart.

Mixed media on paper, 14 x 20 cm