I look in the mirror
to see many reflections.

I see a girl
with hollow bags under her eyes
that stayed open too long at night
doing and redoing math sums.
She never seemed to get anything right.

I see a girl
too scared to leave her room
too frightened of getting hurt
from needle-like friendships.

I see a girl
who grew too old
far too fast.

Today, I saw her again
But she was very different.
Four feet five,
Rosy cheeked with unconditional joy
Eyes sparkling with ambition
For dreams too outlandish to pursue.

Hi there, little me.

Please stay this way.

Growing up will be horrible.

You'll bruise your heart again and again
From falling in too deep, too fast, too much
And then falling out.

You'll learn to scrutinize everything
From your face to your work to your art
Ripping up pages and filling your dustbin.

You'll stare in the mirror
Trying to figure out
where you went wrong.

Please don't grow up unhappy.
Please don't end up like me.