I stand in front of the mirror,
Not used to what I see.
Because I’m a child,
In a woman’s body.

I used to be skinny,
Straight up and down.
I’ve sprouted a chest,
And a frown.

I don’t understand,
Why I have these hips.
I’m really worried,
About my angry fits.
  
I’d give anything,
To be a child again.
To have self-esteem,
At the age of eleven.

I got on a train not knowing
Where I was going.
Platform one
Off I run.

Very nearly at the first stop
Mum said, ‘What a bottle of pop!’
Of course! Nan’s fault, too many sweets
But I loved my Nan and all her lovely treats.

I could see up and coming was the second halt,
Moods start swinging, of course! it’s my fault.
Mum gives advice, I still wasn’t listening,
Oh, but look at his eyes glistening.            

Last stop.  Hit on the breaks!
Luckily, I’d learnt from my mistakes.
I finally decided to take on Mum’s advice.
Time for tea and cake. Do you want a slice?

Wellies crunch through the snow
Leaving footprints as I go.
Children’s laughter fills the air
Enlivening souls everywhere.
You can taste their ecstasy
As they slide down the hills next to me.

It’s a sugar-coated wonderland
I nearly slip, quick! Grab Mummy’s hand!
Pick up some snow and make it round
Flies as high as a bird before it hits the ground!
We build a snowman, up it goes
Make sure there’s a carrot for the nose!

Toes in wellies have turned to ice
Tea and biscuits would be nice.
But look at the beam on her face
Dancing around with so much grace.
Weatherman was right, more is falling
Heavier and heavier, warmth is calling.

Look! Look! It’s a blizzard
Maybe it’s the magic of a wizard!
Shiver, shiver, my lips start to quiver
The water has frozen, lets skate on the river!
Time to go, tummy’s rumbling
Mummy slipped! There she goes tumbling!

Everyone is watching,
As you float upon your toes.
You glide across the stage,
And your passion shows.

You dance the story,
Of the Prince and Odette.
You show the terrible tale,
As you pirouette.  

You waltz, you plié,
And orbit the stage.
You become the music,
Violinists turn their page.

Your skeleton moves,
In intricate ways.
You jeté across the lake,
As the audience sways.

The tattered silk is leaking,
As the crimson starts to seep.
You smile, you push on,
You take the next leap.

You sauté, you soutenu,
The signets sing.
You fouetté, you fondue,
You enter the wing.

Me, Mum and Dad,
We’re going to see the sea.
Travelling in the car,
It’s hot and stuffy.

This is a long journey,
It’s been over an hour!
Oh, good gracious…
Here comes an April shower.

Dad parks the car,
Far away from the sand.
Mum shouts,
‘You’re too far in land!’

The engine is turned off,
‘Grab the bucket and *****’.
All loaded up,
Oops, we haven’t paid and displayed.

The stuff’s too heavy,
I’m going to drop it!
‘Not far to go!’ says Mum,
‘But there’s a hole in my pocket!’

Phew! We made it,
Feet in the sand.
‘Let’s dig a hole,
Dad? Give us a hand?’

Oh look, there’s a cave,
Let’s go and see.
Maybe there’s lions or gorillas…
Ah! It’s a bee!

‘Come and have a picnic’,
*** on the rug.
Took a bite out the sandwich,
Sipped some squash from the jug.

On hour later,
Time for the sea.
Wetsuit on,
Ooo look at me!


Get in the water,
Here comes the wave.
Body on board,
Up up and away!

Out I get,
I’m shivering and cold.
By the time Mum finds my towel,
I’m going to be old.

Home time now,
And I need a wee.
‘Dad, stop the car!’
‘Mum, find me a tree!’

What a good day,
Night night, sleep tight.
What’s hurting my knee?
Stupid insect bite.

There’s a monster under my bed,
I shut my eyes so I can’t see!
It’s so scary, it has a purple head.

I sprayed Monster Vanish that squirts out red,
But I think it’s wore off, I can see his knee!
There’s a monster under my bed.

By morning time, I’m sure I’ll be dead,
It’ll chuck my body out to sea!
It’s so scary, it has a purple head.

Its five thousand eyes fill me with dread,
They burn through my body as I play the Wii!
There’s a monster under my bed.

‘Monster detector came today’ Mum said,
‘All gone!’ she added, but I don’t agree!
It’s so scary, it has a purple head.

Monsters stab you in your sleep, I read,
Some even pin you to a tree!
There’s a monster under my bed,
It’s so scary, it has a purple head.

I have a crush on this boy in my class you see,
He has blue eyes, brown hair that’s messy and straight.
He’s cute, he’s tall and handsome, his name’s Henry,
I look, he smiles at me! His teeth are great.
I turn my exercise book to the back page,
And scribble ‘Grace loves Henry’ with stars and hearts.
I hope to myself we grow together with age,
So I can wear a white dress and say, ‘Till death do us part’.
I’m supposed to be doing maths, figuring out fifty plus seven,
But I can’t concentrate looking at that beautiful face.
All my brain can think is he’s better than heaven,
Better than a big pure angel falling with grace.
He’s my first love, my friend, my match, my crush,
Teacher said, ‘Darling, you’re young!  There’s no rush’.