Balance beam

There was a girl,

who wanted to be a woman,

to make her own decisions.

On good days she walked with joy and grace,

eyes wide open to the world.

She gave love freely and felt free.

On bad days her heart felt heavy,

chin down, eyes searching for approval—

did I earn your love today?

There was a girl,

who wanted to be a woman,

to find where she belonged.

On good days she held others close,

with warmth and understanding.

She loved without conditions.

On bad days she turned inward,

calling herself a victim,

believing she was not enough.

There was a girl,

who wanted to be a woman,

to find her own happiness.

On good days she laughed out loud,

sang from her silly heart,

a bright light in the dark.

On bad days she felt like paper,

torn by every rejection,

apologizing for the mess.

There was a girl,

who wanted to be a woman,

proud of who she’d become.

On good days she thanked her younger self,

and walked forward with faith.

On bad days she looked back in shame,

forgetting she was still growing.

There was a girl—

now a woman,

balancing on her own beam.