When I turned eight, I wore a dress and a crown,
It was a sign to all that I had grown,
It reminds me of my grad cap and gown,
A sign that I’ve made plans to go on my own,
From eight to eighteen, I have learned so much
From friends, from family, and teachers especially,
They showed me to sing, write, and love unconditionally,
I’m proud of the person I was, and the one I‘ve become,
Because change is good, it’s the only thing we can’t outrun,
Dress and crown, to cap and gown,
The excitement of what happens next is hunting me down,
The walk across the stage, and the walk to the prize counter at the arcade,
Are the same walks, same person, same girl, but just a different stage,
So as I walk out of school, with my diploma, cap, and gown,
My eight-year-old self will be right behind me with her dress and crown.
