First year of school
She wants a bright red bag
and a blue lunchbox
but instead they give her
a pink barbie bag
with matching pencil case

Four years old and already
living dreams that aren't hers

She wears tutus and tiaras
with sequined leotards
that make mummy smile
when she dances on stage
even though she'd rather
be playing tips in the park
with the rest of her friends

Seven now, ballet isn't fun anymore
too bad mummy loves it

Weekends working with dad and textbooks
to get perfect scores
because division isn't her forte
It's a shame she's better
at writing stories that
no one ever wants to read

Ten isn't easy, trying so hard
to make daddy pround

Perfect smile
Straight As
Star of the school play and the ballet
Extra cirriculars queen
And she still isn't happy
because none of it is really hers

Fourteen years old and still
the little girl who hates to disappoint