Venture #2 | Forever Adult

A beautiful baby,
my mother says.
Fresh and pink
in ugly sunlight,
she said I was a beautiful baby.
I was
never
a baby.

A brilliant toddler,
my father says.
Tripping and content
in stupid frills,
he said I was a brilliant toddler.
I was
never
a toddler.

A confident schoolgirl,
my grandma says.
Sure and purposeful
in awkward braces,
she said I was a confident schoolgirl.
I was
never
a schoolgirl.

A supporting lifeline,
my best friend says.
Constant and solid
in my manic tears,
she said I was a supporting lifeline.
I was
never
a lifeline.

A tender angel,
my lover says.
Graceful and light
in my demonic hate,
He said I was a tender angel.
I was
never
an angel.

I have been forever adult,
I say.
Scared to death
at the prospect
of being looked to.
Eldest of eight
role model
of seven.
I will forever be
the cringing
adult.