I've come and gone
from reading picture books
to reading novels I could read over and over again

I've come and gone
from wearing stick on earrings
to wearing accessories every time I go out

I've come and gone
from chasing my cat around the house
to cradling her against my chest

I've come and gone
from playing with my mom's lipstick
to wiping away my own mascara

I've come and gone
from crying when I dont get my way
to crying for real, heartfelt reasons

I've come and gone
from that giggly teasing of a boy
to forming real relationships

I've come and gone
from becoming best friends with someone you just met
to becoming best friends and staying together forever

I've come and gone
from knowing those songs mom used to sing
to coming into my own voice

I've come and gone
from playing Barbie's with my friends all day long
to laughing and talking the night away

I've come and gone
from listening to what grownups say
to speaking my own opinions

I've come and gone
from being that cute little girl
to being a woman who can stand up for herself

But I am, and always will be

Me