A poem for the Awkward Little Girl.
I remember you, the little girl with dreams so large
You believed in us so much, I should’ve let you stay in charge
You were so good at playing pretend, making up stories in your head
You would pretend to fall asleep so Dad would carry us to bed
I still tell stories sometimes because I still like to play pretend
But it’s not as rewarding now, the stories always have to end
I remember you, the little girl who couldn’t fit into little girl clothes
We couldn’t shop at the cool girl stores, I guess that’s the way it goes
You were smart and you were funny, you were talented and you were kind
You didn’t look like the other girls, but you didn’t seem to mind
Until one day someone said something to make you feel a little bad
Another little girl who also may have been a little sad
So now we look at our body and we see all the things that are wrong
Even though you were still the same little girl just trying to write her stories and sing her songs
I remember you saying no and not being listened to, not being heard
I remember you speaking up and being told you were absurd
I remember you making stuff up because the truth was more painful to speak
I remember shutting you up when you were feeling weak
I started to just laugh you off as an awkward phase I had to endure
I made fun of you and cringed at the way we were before
But now I always grip so hard so I won’t lose control or step out of place
I think I can’t bear to be you again with embarrassed tears streaming down our face
But If you could see me now I think you wouldn’t feel so scared
You wouldn’t feel so alone, and out of place and unprepared
And if I could bring you here, when I worry and when I judge
I’m sure you’d say I’m doing great and hand me a Vanilla Coke and bar of fudge
I remember you, the little girl with dreams so large
You believed in us so much, I should’ve let you stay in charge
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