POEM - The Little Girl Leaves Home

Since I’ve known you

I’ve learned a lot

Before you I was just a person

Married to this lady over here

When you came along

We became new creatures

New weird, scared, tired, nervous animals

Who worried when you slept softly

Got told sixteen different ways

To make sure you slept right

We got the sleeping one right

Or rather, you learned that lesson

Maybe a little too well

I think among your friends

Your bed ranks fairly high

We had to pinch you as a baby

Just so you’d wake up to eat

That was all yesterday

Today we got a letter in the mail

It said you are leaving

Going away for awhile

On your own without us

Without the creatures you made

And I’m not really sure you can

I think you probably need help

Someone to wipe your face

Cut your waffles and pour your milk

Make sure you don’t scrunch your dress

Make eye contact and smile

Say please and thank you

And excuse me when you burp

I don’t think I’m allowed to though

This is something you do alone

It’s when you are alone

That you end up growing up

Your turn to become a new creature

One of many you will become

So get ready and go

Head out the door

Jump on the plane

Meet the world

Share your smile

And your goofy ways

You can leave your pets behind

We know how to feed ourselves now

And we hardly ever mess in the yard