Once upon a time there was a girl

who believed she had to do

what she was told…

The terrible and wonderful thing

about her was that she could only listen

for so long before she got up

and did as she pleased…

This terrible and wonderful trait

kept her in big trouble with everyone

and although she said

“I’m sorry” a lot

she kept getting up and doing

as she pleased, her only regret being

how they wore themselves out

on her determination

not to be restrained…

In time, they wore her down,

and she grew in stillness

and built up her self control

until it appeared she blended in exactly

with those around her…

She built her life

with these borrowed stones

and everyone around her was proud

of her accomplishment

and praised her daily…

Then one day

she sat down

(without being told)

and wrote something on paper…

The words were her Heart

telling her what to do.

And those words

broke her wide open

and that Terrible and Wonderful Thing

about her stood up inside her

roaring so loudly that

her heart shook

within her chest…

And all I can tell you is

after that day

she let her roar resound

every day…

and while I can’t say

she lived happily ever after

I can tell you that she

Lived.