Year Fifteen

It was as quick as a switch

We change in the blink of an eye 

From jumping in puddles

To cashing paychecks

My blonde curls became straight 

As did my vision for a perfect life

Though that view was tarnished

By social norms, my peers, and a man who couldn’t love

I regained my footing 

Through music and theatre

I danced my way to a new found love

This love took me where I never thought I could go

My broken childhood dreams reformed into bright new ideas

As I placed each broken part together

I realized I wasn’t who I was before

The little girl who believed the world was good was gone 

Today I’m stronger

And most importantly, I’m me

And that’s the best thing I can be.