Sweet Sixteen Poem by Sandra Osborne

J
I'm inside out with my feelings
I'm outside in when I sing,
It seems that
at the moment
I can't do anything
S
So I dream that I'm a pretty princess
But the boys all play so dumb
It seems that
at the moment
I am only thumbs.
J
It's like my body
Has been mistreated
Set free by the self that I was
Waiting for a prince ignoring
Both the reason's
And the cause
S
But, there is time enough for princes,
Time to wait till it's through,
So I'll fix myself up all nice and pretty,
And do what I always do:
I'll wait and surely he will find me
A prince charming for my throne
My life will be all wine and roses,
The minute after I am grown.
J
I'm drowning here, just turned sixteen,
It's so lonely living life,
Dreaming of my prince to be
Long just to be a wife,
I just hate the way I'm looking
This could be my final song.
Can't wait for my prince forever,
Already it has been too long.
S
Life has a way of happy bouncing,
Besides, the beauty is inside,
Let men decide upon the wrapping,
I don't have to run and hide
J
Life for me has been a struggle
now I'm really getting old
sixteen is when a girl should marry
At least that's what I've been told
S
That’s so silly you have years yet
I cannot change so I won't fret,
Love will see MY inner beauty and
A prince will love my outsides yet!

Sandra Osborne and Janice M PIckett
from the collection 'The Pendulum Swings'