From Tomboy To Girl
As a youngster, I looked like a boy…there was nothing girly to be seen
I could run topless without comment until the age of about fifteen.
I could climb the highest tree, jump the highest fence
I even dislocated the shoulder of the man teaching me self defense…
I could run forever eating the wind - but was never really fast
That didn’t matter in any event, I was the one that none could out last.
I could dive and swim from the heights to the depths
I could do so much and never lose my breath.
Then I turned eleven and things started on a decline
I fell out of a tree head first… and it was definitely not by design.
I hit the ground, but remember it not, apart from all the screaming
From thirty foot I took my dive because of too much leaning
They all knew I was the only one able to climb that tree
A mother asked me to save a kite that had cost about 50p
I remember thinking that branch was thin and would break
I was right but for the mother, this risk I did take…
It caught me out and that was when I learnt there was one thing I could not do,
And that was fly like a bird, or float like a butterfly, believe me, I really tried too.
My neck was broken when I landed there and hit the ground,
I remember my toe was the only thing hurting when I came round…
But then a terrible thing happened… and I turned into a girl
My tomboy escapades were gone - it happened in a whirl
I hung on as long as I could but things began to change
One thing was sure at this time… I was never mistaken for a boy again.
© 19/05/2012
Copyright © Mandy Tams The Golden Girl | Year Posted 2012
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