Tales of Hero and Villain
By Yasmin Zayed
Discussed: guns, death, violence

A perfect town’s decaying world is set in stone; a world unconsented to. It’s not the easiest knowing our fate stands between the rich and corrupt, or that there was never any difference at all.
Today I saved the world again I’ll say deep breath and count to ten Perfect smile in heaven send. Graceful poise my hand that waves my image refracts onto every page in between those history books in between those classical nooks I am found. oh how lonely it must be to stay as sharp as one could see all alone, safe, and sound may the world rest peacefully. x Hero “sorry :/” i apologize here’s my apology it wasn’t real, nor did it comfort me sorry i blew up your house sorry i won cat and the mouse oh my sincerest to you and your dearest oh sh*t i blew up your spouse (my bad). Hero delivers their speech at the UN press conference following the incident (2021) This is what the audience hears. “Escapism” why couldn’t i just leave it alone you know the saying, when you’re in rome but everyone knows that this isn’t fair the feeling is hard, too great to bare i’ve got no time, none left to spare we’re in agony, this is a tragedy why won’t they just let us go it’s a disparity, this is a clarity you know the saying, when you’re in rome kill and deceive, fight for your home Villain becomes a witness, but in today’s society don’t we all? “on the ground” nobody think nobody move oh shit it’s them let’s just press snooze we can just stay turning our backs they’ll get away amnesiac. Account by anonymous “A pep talk” on your mark, you should get ready it’ll get dark, keep your hands steady follow through, see to the end finish your coup, fight and defend gold, god, and glory, but here’s where you stand blatant outlawry, on my command. Kagami; the looking glass “Synchronicity” a pen to paper — a gun to the head a burst fire hydrant — they left me for dead a critical ache, a burning retire — this feeling of dread, just won’t expire the justice unfolds, the one i require — nothing to lose maybe my way — they led me astray Just walk away. To be continued…

Taking Root: The Girls Write Now 2022 Anthology

For more than two years, our young writers have weathered an adolescence shaped by an ongoing global pandemic. But a harsh climate can also produce work of rare depth, complexity, nuance and humor. The Girls Write Now mentees in this collection have found new ways to build community and take root. This anthology is a catalog of seeds—each young writer cultivating a shimmering, emergent voice. In short stories, personal essays, poetry, and more, they reflect on life-altering topics like heartbreak, self-care and friendship. The result is a stunning book with global relevance of all this generation has endured and transformed.
Process
The piece “Tales of Hero and Villain” follows a comic book–style collection of poems discussing the integrity, or lack thereof, in modern-day politics. It follows Hero, a Captain America–inspired superhero, who abuses his power and reputation. As a figurehead of this universe, Hero amasses a public platform awarded by government officials who look, act, and think just as Hero does. When the wealthy politicians are unmasked for their corrupt acts—opting to build empires on the backs of working class citizens.
Hero, unaware of his privilege, is met with Villain, a common teenager from New York. Villain easily becomes the symbol for the voice of ordinary citizens, breaking laws that in fact oppress rather than assist. The piece discusses human rights and social justice, and reverses the characteristics of the ordinary antagonist and protagonist. The process is inspired by both Captain America and the world of Marvel as a whole. A surge of the comic-based movies result in violence caused by the so-called heroes. With this, the movie tends to introduce these decisions as necessity—the only way out. My belief, watching the plethora of cars, countries, and buildings crash, is that those who say there was only one route are those who have the privilege of doing so.

Yasmin Zayed
Yasmin is a full-time NYC student completing school work, catching up with friends and studying. When she has the time, she likes to harbor her passion for writing, finding anything and everything as her muse. Born in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn the hectic city life is not new to her but in fact, an environment she thrives in. Living in Staten Island, she finds moments of peace to document her findings of the world.Her first published project, aside from her first grade short story, is her upcoming podcast “she’s just the…” as a first year mentee of Girls Write Now.