YOUTH

Please don’t grow up,
Little girl.
Don’t forget about
Your tutus and
Fairy wands
And tiaras
And hopes of Prince Charming.
Please don’t
Lose your bright-eyed
Anticipation
Of Christmas.
Don’t forget about
The land of dreams
You made up
In your youth.
Don’t let your
Stuffed animals’ names be
Forgotten.
Don’t trade your dolls for
Music and clothes.
Don’t fall asleep crying
Because of expectations.
Don’t let your dreams die
Because they won’t make money.
Don’t give your heart
To a boy
Who’ll never come around.
Stay young.
Fight for your youth.

May you never see the
Storms amid rainbows; the
Trolls around fairies; the
Monsters among men.