I went fast to sleep one starry night after a hard day at play I slumbered hard, I slumbered long until the following day I know that when I went to sleep I was still carefree and wild Acting silly, having fun, a willful, precocious little child. But something must have happened to me in the middle of the night To make that little child in me suddenly take to flight. Something foul and funky must have finally had its way; After stalking innocence daily this child had finally become its prey. That morning I awakened, stretched, and greeted the dawning day Knelt down beside my bed and put my hands together to pray ‘Thank you God for keeping me safely through another night And thank you Lord for letting Your child see the morning light. Amen.’ I said, jumped up and quickly dashed across the hall And as I headed to the washroom I heard my precious aunty call. “ Breakfast is ready, come on down! It’s no time for fun or play you’ve got to get ready now child; it’s your first day in high school today.” Soon I made it to the washroom in what I thought was ample time, Brushed my teeth and showered to get rid of the night’s lingering grime. I towel dried myself and dressed quite impeccably that day In my Catholic Girls’ School uniform: blue skirt, white shirt, tie white and grey. Girl you look real good, you have a model’s built- I heard myself say Always dressed so neatly, girl, do you ever play? ‘ You’re so tall and skinny, long neck, no waist, flat chest Legs all up and down your body but the Lord forgot your breast.’ I really had a way with clothes- folks said I had great taste I really knew how to pick the styles that accentuated my waist Everything looked great on me as I checked the hallway mirror again To see if things were still in place, I swear, I wasn’t trying to be vain But my aunty almost had a fit because I was running late I had to speed myself up or a mouth-beating would be my fate I scurried along quite cheerfully and hopped into the waiting car That would chauffeur me to boarding school just like a superstar Another day of learning another day of fun My venture into my teenage years had finally begun.  

Copyright Pamilla deLeon- Lewis, 2004