“Have you heard about Carrie Fisher?”
I’m asked. Of course, it’s me
The token Star Wars fan
Of course I’ve heard about Carrie Fisher.

Have you heard about Carrie Fisher?
The first princess who ever felt like me?
The damsel in distress who rescued her rescuers?
The real life woman who never apologised for being who she was?

Have you heard about Carrie Fisher?
Who shared her personal stories
Of depression, addiction, being bipolar?
Who reminded us all we were more than our illness?

Have you heard about Carrie Fisher?
Who fought back against media misogyny
Who proved to the world beauty is ageless
Who didn’t stop making the world smile up until the last?

Have you heard about Carrie Fisher?
The woman who burned brighter than us all in the darkest of times
Who threw stigma out the window and told it like it was
Who connected with and treated fans like extended family?

Who lives on in the heart and bite of every single girl and woman?
Who never let the world bring her down?
Who was crass and bold and wonderful and alive?
Who never stopped fighting?
Who will never be forgotten?
Who will always be cherished with all our hearts?

Who always has been
And always will be
A hero?

“Have you heard about Carrie Fisher?”
I’m asked. “Of course,”
I say.
“But have you?”