“DADDY!” I screamed, and nightmares I dreamed.
Life was on the fast-track, and I was headed for the “crazy shack.”
This was all his fault, just a wound and salt.

When I got there, everyone wanted me to share.
They wanted to know if I had tried to ... “go.”
I was afraid to tell, when I had to go get weighed.

The lady said I was light, especially considering my over-average height.
I turned a crimson red, and tried to run to my bed.
The nurse-lady stopped me, said her name was Marie.

I turned around and simply said, “I’m sorry.”

She lifted up my chin, and stared into my eyes,
and simply said, “Honey, I know this is a surprise.

“You just have to be strong;
Stand up for yourself.
That’s the way to not be here for long.”

I wiped my tears, made friends with my peers,
and decided, on that day, that this would be the start
Of many new and improved years.