Eyes shut tight

Sometimes I want to go away.

to fly the coop, to pick up and scoot;

to leave my fam and baby brother,

sometimes I want to be another.

A princess in a towering palace,

a girl whose milkshake’s

served in a chalice.

I’ve packed my bags and saved my pennies,

and caught a bus and train to Jenny’s.

But it wasn’t long before they saw,

that I had fled right out the door.

And so, the car it pulls up sharp.

All blushed and smiling from the strain,

mum and dad take me home again.

As we drive back, their mood is stark.

They just don’t get why I want to be apart

from the drum and hum of life domestic

to seek out dragons and things fantastic.

I am so lucky, they explain.

You see they say, you have the lot,

A cosy home, a ma and pa and

baby brother, the cherry on top.

But I still want to disappear,

to ride wild horses and throw a spear,

to strike out well beyond the park,

to go exploring in jungles dark.

They tell me I’ll get over it,

that it will pass when I turn six.

But while I wait, I’ve found a way

to leave this place every day.

I just lie down and close my eyes.

I breath in deeply, hands on ears,

and before you know it, I’m not here.

I smile and wave to baby brother as

my ship sets off from the harbor.

The sails unfurl in one huge flutter.

The captain winks his one good eye,

as I shout cheerio, bye bye.

And that is how I disappear,

Eyes shut tight, I’m outta here.