What I mean

When I say I'm OK or I'm fine,
It means I am tolerating
what has been given me.

When you tell me to take care,
I ask, "why?"

When I say "Leave me alone!"
I mean, "Please stay."
"I need you."

Shrinking

Feeling awkward and conspicuous
People gawking, gossiping and judging.
In my efforts to  become invisible
I shrink to a little girl
Hiding behind my daddy
who teases me
about gollywhallupers

My father
A sweet man
who always protects me.

Climbing the Ladder

You have to climb the ladder!
Standing in the middle,
Trembling with fear.
Never mind the steps beneath
Don't look back.
Don't look down.

Unless you want
to spend your life
Stuck in the middle