My sock has got a lump in it, My toast fell jelly down. Mom says, “We leave in seven minutes!” My other shoe’s not found. My brother gets the cereal prize, I get the empty box. And somehow I’m the one who’s late, Though he hid both my socks. “Big girls pack their bags themselves.” “Small girls need their rest.” I wish they’d pick which one I am. There’s probably a test. Ten is a lot, you know, Even if I’m not that tall. I’ve got spelling words and tangled hair And a lost tooth down the hall. You say, “Just wait till you grow up!” But look at all I’ve got. Maybe ten looks small to you, But ten is a lot. But ten is a lot. We saved a seat for Sophie, But she sat with someone new. Then Emma asked, “Whose side are you on?” I said, “Can’t I pick two?” At lunch we weren’t speaking. By three we all were friends. I wish we wrote the rules somewhere Before they changed again. I knew the answer yesterday. Today I got it wrong. I had a comeback on the bus, But by then they were gone. Ten is a lot, you know, There’s a lot to figure out. Like when a whisper means a secret, When it means you’re left out. I’m brave enough to raise my hand, Then hope I don’t get caught. Maybe ten looks small to you, But ten is a lot. I’m old enough to sweep the floor, Too young to stay up late. I have to finish all my peas, But cannot fill my plate. “Go play outside!” “Don’t get all wet!” “Don’t track that through the door!” If being big means folding things, What am I growing for? And now my favorite shirt feels weird, My chest is getting sore. There’s hair where there was never hair. What’s all this changing for? We learned about a period. I tucked a pad away. I checked the little pocket twice Before I left today. I snapped at Mom at breakfast, Then cried about my hair. She asked me what was bothering me. I said, “I don’t know! There!” Sometimes I want to look grown-up, Sometimes I want my bear. Can I still bring him on a trip? Will anybody care? Ten is a lot, you know, And I don’t know what comes next. I have questions I can say out loud, And some I haven’t asked yet. Please let me tell the whole long thing, Even when I lose the plot. I’m getting bigger bit by bit, And ten is a lot. My schoolbag’s by the kitchen door. My bear’s tucked out of sight. I packed my homework all myself... Can you leave the hallway light?
