WHEN I GROW UP

by:  Linda Law

When I was six years old, I knew I'd be a ballerina
Until I tripped and sprained my ankle as I flipped my tutu
When I was twelve I wanted to be Calamity Jane
Guns on my hips, wham...bang...No Jane, just a Calamity!

Fifteen and drooling over Elvis...I was going to be his wife
No one could tell me different...until Priscilla ruined my life..
At twenty, Prince Charming was already a huge mistake
Too late I knew as three little ones put my life on the brakes!

Between diapers and cereal, I found myself dreaming
Wife, mother, I want more! When I grow up....Who will I be?
Twenty seven, divorced and finding my way...
Children at my skirt, wondering..When will she grow up?

Thirties arrived, too busy to think, reaching and grabbing
whatever life had in store...Inside I knew I wanted more
Under the surface, deep within... peeked a sliver in view
What will I be, Who will I be....When I grow up?

Kids are gone, mate has passed, career No longer,
Kick start, stop, start again....stop, start, begin again
When I grow up, I wonder what I'll be....I still dream
Painting, Writing, Quilting and laughing...one foot forward

Two feet backward...No,Look ahead...I'm not there yet!
Bones ache, Vision is blurred, Hearing is leaving...What?
I look in the mirror, afraid to see...who is looking back at me
I never stop asking...When I grow up...Who will I be?

I want to be pretty, I want to be smart, I want to be...
loved by you, you, and you.  Most of all, when I grow up
HE knows WHO I AM, no longer wishing, wondering...I've always been HIS...

WHEN I GROW UP... I KNOW WHO I WILL BE....

WHEN YOU GROW UP...WHO WILL YOU BE?