I stare into the bathroom mirror
Looking for the girl that was once there
Tear-stained cheeks; Make-up streaks
Never good enough
Again, my worth measured by what I think others see
And I am left to wonder where could she be
Wake up; Pack up
We are moving again
I was beginning to settle in
At school, I even made a friend
This place was just starting to feel like mine
My room; My very own design
Why must I do it all over again?
That’s an explanation and not a good reason
No time to learn about who I am before we are out the door, once more
Do I belong on a farm? A city apartment? Or a small neighborhood town?
Maybe a rental property in a place that is warm?
Where are you from? I can’t quite say
So many address changes along the way
I learned to be what is expected of me and how easily I adapt to your plea
Always a passenger never the driver
Life becomes a movie picture as I watch from the car window
What do I want deep down inside?
I mourn this unasked question no longer enjoying the ride
And the home I wish I could’ve known
As I look around now all grown I try to bring myself back to me
I try to imagine an identity
A young child pretending to be lost in the woods far from home
Sticks and rocks, trees and leaves became her makeshift abode
Running barefoot and free to the chickadee's song
Perhaps I had it backward all along
Gone astray by the whims of man, attempting to please everyone
I needed to get back to my nature roots
Some restless nights when I’m wide awake
The weight of the world granting no escape
I wander to my backyard porch where the crickets chirp
Soft moonlight bathes me in its healing glow
Cool breeze caresses my cares away and dreaming once again comes easily
I return to a familiar landscape
One where I trusted my instincts
Breathing in the crisp night sky; I hear her cry
She’s there; The little girl never left the woods
Hiding in her humble home made of twigs
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