If I have to feel this one more time,

I'll scream. I'll snap, and scream

Until everyone is looking at me,

Seeing my mouth wide open,

Hearing the sound pour out,

Thinking what a shame it is

That nice polite little girl

Has lost her mind.



I want them to see,

I want them to hear it all;

How I never want to be quiet again

How I'm sick of pigtails in my hair

Even though I don't wear them any more,

How I'm sick of freckles and dimples and ribbons

And sitting with my ankles crossed.



I want them to know I'm angry

When I say I'm angry, know I'm sad

When I say I'm sad, know I'm in love

When I'm in love, and to stop telling me

I can't be, or I don't know how to be

Or I'm too young to be, because I can

And I do, and I am not!



I want to draw attention to myself,

Make a big scene in a public place,

Shock the neighbors, and make them think

We're all insane, because I am,

And you should be. I want them to

Call the police and complain

And have me committed because

I've fallen out of my tree.



Then, once I've made my scene,

Screamed, stomped my feet,

Thrown a tantrum, horrified the neighbors

Sworn at old, blue-haired ladies,

Once I've convinced everyone that I've

Gone completely insane,



I'll stop screaming, excuse myself,

Sit back down, cross my ankles,

And pretend like Nothing Happened.