With a splendid anger
he smashed the statue with the hammer
to free the maiden trapped inside.
Ice and stone chips flew.

When it was over
she lay without moving
in a puddle of water and gravel
at his feet.

Get up, he shouted.
You are free now. I have
slain the dragon. I have
scaled the castle walls. I have
fed the children and folded
the laundry.

She rose and replied:
That was not the problem at all.
Now I must act.
With and angry and splendid hammer
she smashed herself.