Girl to Woman

I am just a girl.

12 years and 8 months old when my mother decided to leave.

I am just a girl.

Suddenly my father needed me to be the woman in the home.

I am just a girl.

Never had time to hang out with friends because I was the caretaker.

I am just a girl.

Now 15 years old a freshman in high school.

I am just a girl.

Picking fights with my father because of my adult responsibilities.

I am just a girl.

Working while my friends partied every Friday night.

I am just a girl.

Hating my life because I couldn’t relate to teenage dreams.

I am just a girl.

Friends came and went because they were too immature.

I am just a girl.

Or maybe they were growing at an average speed.

I am just a girl.

Me, growing faster and faster by the day.

I am just a girl.

Now 17 during the summer of senior year.

I am just a girl.

My eyes set on a man a little too old.

I am just a girl.

Boys my age were too immature and not as cute.

I am just a girl.

But he “knew” me and related to my issues.

I am just a girl.

But for the first time, I was too young.

I am just a girl.

Not too young to care for my brothers or father.

I am just a girl.

But too old to be in “love.”

I am just a girl.

Now 20 years old in my second year of school.

I am just a girl.

I’ve figured out my life and who I want to be.

I am now a woman.

Boys? No, there’s no time when my grades were on the line.

I am now a woman.

I’m now appreciated by the way my father raised me.

I am now a woman.

I’ve learned the importance of education.

I am now a woman.

Love will come and go and make you grow.

I am now a woman.

I don’t have to give myself away to a mindless boy.

I am now a woman.

Mistakes happen for a reason. Breathe in and out, it’s okay.

I am now a woman.

It all happened for a reason. I am now strong enough.

I am now a woman.

There’s no need for others’ approval, just mine.

I am now a woman.

I deserve more than he can offer.

I am now a woman.

My family is there no matter what happens.

I am now a woman.

They will always need me and I’ll always be there.

I am now a woman.

I’m too young for regrets. Now is my time to grow.

I am now a woman.

It’s not a race. There is no winner.

I am now a woman.

I understand so much now and I’ve grown.

I am now a woman.

Being a 12-year-old adult was the best thing to happen to me.

Because I am now a woman.

Breathe in.

Breathe out.

I am now a woman.