she grew to manhood

Wizards and warriors flew through her head
Sugarplums and princesses far far away
and long ago
she stood strong with her fleet, her army
solidly on two feet, the whole foot engaged with the ground
the days behind her had made the girl she was
into the man she is
there was a time for sweet, pink things
the season of assertion and confidence had come

This reads a bit too much like male = strong. It's not so much what I mean, but the images of male/strength & girl/sensitive are lodged in my head. I am making it a goal now to play with how that works, both in life & in language.