And innocence was torn asunder
life grew lacking in awe and wonder
never had the chance to grow
by thirteen things began to show
And no one to tell my story to
and left with nothing else to do
It all seemed oh so mean before thirteen

And now so much later in my life
All grown up with son and wife
Wishing for what could have been
Not much chance to begin again
A lament’s a pointless exercise
realizing there is none so wise
who treasures not what cannot be
Through tear-stained eyes for girls like me

To cherish what you truly are
No matter close or very far
In travels of maturity and closely held integrity
Your conscience rails against your choices
accusing you with angry voices
but silenced by the truth known not by youth

To those of us who felt the fear
Of some other life lived year by year
Authentic selves always set apart
except by words inside the heart
It was far away and long ago
the one inside they dare not show
when dreams were never meant to be
for ugly girly boys like me...