Mum, I want to be a pretty one...

A little girl with sparkling eyes,
framed by eyelashes dear,
speaks up softly and innocently
without doubt or fear.

"Oh, Mum, I'm gonna be pretty someday!
Pretty someday, just like you.
I'm going to smile and sing and laugh and play..
I'll do the things the pretty ladies do."

She's watched her mother for quite some time,
seen how she walks in those heels.
Poor little girl can't quite understand
that Mum's plastered on face isn't real.

"Wouldn't that just be great, Mum?
I could dress and be thin, just like you.
I'd be perfect and polished and prim and pristine...
just doing the things pretty girls do."

Little girl smiles into Mum's pretty eyes,
desperate for a sweet little grin.
Girl doesn't quite understand why
and doubt quickly tears itself in.

"Oh, little girl, don't you see?
I'm too well polished to imitate.
You could always glow, my little one,
but to shine like me, you must be great."

Mum is ashamed of her sad little girl,
ne'er good enough for the woman blind.
Girl falters quickly at the lack of response;
crying out for a word or two, kind.

"Mum, please, I love you just so,
I wish to be pretty like you!
Why can't I try, why are you ashamed?
I just want to do what pretty women do..."

Mum looks away, not seeing the years;
oh, several more years left unsaid.
Little girl destined to strive hard and long
counting the tears that are shed.

**it's 2 AM..idk.**