Butterfly Ripples

When I Grow Up

When I grow up

I want to be a princess.

It will happen, I assure you

These are the things

that happen

in fairy tales.

When I grow up

I want to be an actor.

They’ll take me on without a doubt

And I will have the lead role

And everyone

will know

my name.

When I grow up

I want to be a doctor.

I want to cure all the diseases

And I will be very good at it

And everyone will tell me

just how amazing

I am.

When I grow up

I want to be a dancer.

I can see it in my head,

I practise each day in my school shoes,

and I can’t wait

until I can wear

slippers.

When I grow up

I want to be a teacher.

The children will love me

Because I will be firm,

but not too strict

and very kind

and encouraging.

When I grow up

I want to be an author.

I’ll be the youngest ever published

Because everyone tells me

this is what I excel at

and I know

they are right.

But when I grow up

I’ll want to be young again

I’ll want to be free

I won’t like my job

or my situation

and I’ll think back

and wish

I had spent less time

trying to grow up.