Dear Daughter (Second Letter) Poem by William McGehee

Dear daughter,
Some folks out there may try tell you "no"
Might say "sit still". Might not let you show
The world or all the rest of time
What you can do, how high you climb.

Let them talk, but oh don't let them in.
Let them spit, but oh don't let them win.
Let them try to hold you locked away.
Let them laugh, but oh you'll have your say.

Let all the others bleat and waste their breath.
Keep your course and you'll be all that's left.
Hold true when all that's going seems awry
And look at every hardship in the eye.

And, finally, know the sum of all your worth
Is not by them accounted here on earth.
You have a million deeds of love still left to do,
So go, and shape the world out there anew.