Reality

• Laura Pettenuzzo, Grade 11
• Poetry
• 2011

This isn’t sunshine and lollipops
Where are your rainbows, little girl?
This is not a perfect little world, darling
This is hearts of glass
Breaking, shattering, s p l i n t e r i n g
Before your very eyes
This is words that burn and scar
And oh so suddenly
You’d brave those sticks and stones
If it meant escape from this
But you’re trapped, don’t you know?
This is your tower, princess
There’s no way out
Let’s be honest, for a moment…
Do you think you can do that?
Shed your cloak
Of charming little lies
And tell the truth
If you had the chance to run,
Would you take it?
One leap, one jump…
And you’d be f a l l i n g
Into…what?
Sweetheart, you don’t know
You’re not strong enough
To take that leap of faith
Dare to think, will you please?
Because maybe being here
Is good enough for now