You were always there, in my shadow
As far back as I can remember…
Even though my shadow grew more lengthy
With every passing year!

We chased rainbows in search of gold,
Danced in sweet-smelling meadows
Tailing butterflies and giggling
When buttercups turned our chin yellow!

We saw magic creatures in puffy white clouds,
Made up stories about their faces!
And when nighttime came
We wished upon every single star!

But somewhere along the way, you disappeared!
And I never even noticed you were gone!
Then life happened, and I never got around
To looking for you! But something was missing in me!

One day I grew into a woman
And I met that prince charming
You and I always dreamed about!
And he was everything we knew he’d be!

We were blessed with the most incredible gifts…
A daughter and a son to share our world!
And they became my every breath…
My reason for every single thing I did!

But children grow up! I did!
And the years went by quickly, until one day
My little fledglings learned how to fly!
And I suddenly found myself looking for you again!

It took a while, but I found you…
Right there in my heart, my precious inner child!
And I realized you’d been there all along, and
You are still the most important part of me!

 © Annabel Sheila