Once a Girl

Once a Girl

 

At five, she dreamt of becoming a ballerina,

always turning about on tiptoes.

She wanted to be on stage,

putting on a show all aglow.

 

She could think of nothing else,

and always wore her tutu,

even wearing it to bed.

Once a girl, who dreamt true.

 

At twelve, she wanted to be an astronaut,

who went up into outer space.

To gain a closer look at the stars

which she always gazed.

 

To see earth from a new prospective,

to be in awe of the universe.

To witness its moving glory.

Once a girl, who wanted to star search.

 

At eighteen, she had no clue what she wanted,

as she didn’t know what she could be.

For she allowed things to stand in her way,

and she lost her faith to dream.

 

She’d let the cares of the world sneak in,

as she listened to her inner voice

tell her that she’d never succeed.

Once a girl, who felt she had no choice.

 

At fifty-five, she understands what it means to dream.

With her heart open wide,

she loves the person she’s come to be,

and her dreams reside.

 

For her dreams have been hers to find,

as she listens to her inner voice, not the world.

More and more, it sounds like herself when she was

once a girl.

 

Melinda McQueen Rodgers

May 21, 2021

Reviews

[Coyote Poetry]

Beautiful and wonderful poetry shared dear Melinda.
"For her dreams have been hers to find,
as she listens to her inner voice, not the world.
More and more, it sounds like herself when she was
once a girl."
I loved the complete poem and the above lines. great wisdom, you shared. Thank you for sharing your amazing poetry and your thoughts.
Coyote

[Melinda McQueen]

Thanks for reading and leaving your thoughtful review.

[Coyote Poetry]

You are welcome dear Melinda.

[Ayesha]

It seems that the voice that has sneaked in is the collective conscience, that is why it is so relatable. All of us have had that voice dictate us, make us feel trashy and unsuccessful, until we counter it with our own individual voices. Wonderful work. Calls up Langston Hughes poem Dream deferred,

What happens to a dream deferred?
Does it dry up
Like a raisin in the sun?
Or fester like a sore--
And then run?
Does it stink like rotten meat?
Or crust and sugar over--
like a syrupy sweet?
Maybe it just sags
like a heavy load.
Or does it explode?

[Melinda McQueen]

Wow that's a great poem. Thanks for reading and leaving your thoughtful review.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

I am the male version of this...
at 18 I was a confused college kid....I just wanted the war to stop...
school was a place to grow outside the classroom...
I grew up but didn't grow up.
now I am comfortable with where I am ...at 70....i feel a certain balance...
this poem succeeds in putting a mirror in front of me...reflecting those specifics.
j.

[Melinda McQueen]

Thanks for reading and leaving your thoughtful review.

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Wonderful thought provoking poem. I see many aspects of myself in it. In our youth we are told to dream big and that the stars are closer then we believe. But the realities of life are not so simplistic, and our own obstacles great. I have come to accept my own failures, but it won't stop me from dreaming, and most importantly encourage others to reach further then I. Thank you for sharing this heartfelt poem on being human simply human.

[Melinda McQueen]

Thanks for reading and leaving your thoughtful review.

[Julie McCarthy (juliesp..]

I can relate to this
I love this write it’s so good
I wanted to be a nurse
I was talked out of it by auntie who was a. Nurse in ww 2
She said I wasn’t strong enough it was too hard I was a skinny size 6 so I listened to her
We take a lifetime to see what we really are and follow our dreams
Loved your write ✍️

[Melinda McQueen]

Oh wow.. you never know what you are capable of until you try.. I'm sure you aure great at many things. Thanks for reading and leaving your thoughtful review.

[Chris Shaw]

A journey from childhood to womanhood. I can remember wanting to be a ballerina once and I drew lots of pictures of them too. This write tells me how we can grow in confidence and also the importance of having dreams. Never let go of your dreams Melinda. Enjoyed the read.

Chris

[Melinda McQueen]

True. Wee should never stop dreaming. Thanks for your review.

[Chris Shaw]

Welcome...