little girl walking on eggshells
learning to please
swallowing her wishes
because quiet is courteous

don’t rock the boat
they say,
if the boat takes on water
you will drown

I take the little girl’s face
between my hands
and whisper, 
don’t listen

your voice is beautiful
your wishes are worthy
you were made to walk 
freely through this one short life

eggs will crack anyway
and sometimes you must
rock that boat
and take on water

so you can learn to swim
to safer shores