I Am

I am just your daughter. 

I wonder, are you proud of me?

I hear you say, "I love you" before I go to bed each night.

I see you smile at me, when I do something for the first time. 

I want to make you proud of me.

I am just your daughter. 

I pretend it doesn't bother me.

I feel like I've always failed you.

I touch the front door's handle when I leave for school each morning. 

I worry that I'm a hopeless mistake.

I cry because it hurts.

I am just your daughter.

I understand that I'm not perfect.

I say, "I'll try harder next time."

I dream that I'll be good enough.

I try to reach my goals in life.

I hope you understand.

Because, after all I am just your daughter.