When I Grow Up Poem by Linda Burns

When I grow up I am going to be big and strong.
My arms will have muscles; my legs will be powerful and long.
I won't hurt children and they will not be afraid.
They will often think what a good friend I have made.

When I grow up I may marry that little girl next door.
I'll take her away and she won't be hurt any more.
We may have children; if we do that is all right.
I will never go into their rooms by myself at night.

When I grow up I will help children who cry.
I will search and investigate until I find out why.
I will put a stop to whatever is causing their pain.
I will bring homeless children in out of the rain.

If I grow up I will be very lucky, you know.
Time and again my daddy has said this is so.
He says I may be too bad to let me survive.
I thank God every time I wake up alive.

When I grow up I will have to kill him, you see.
I can not let him do to my children what he does to me.
I think what I'll do is put a bullet in the back of his head.
Children all over the world will have less to dread.

When I grow up I won't be cold like I am now.
No more blood will run from my hair to my brow.
Love, light and wonder will fill my bountiful cup
I will be so happy when I……….

You will have to complete the sentence yourself. He's gone.