Four years ago my wife suffered a severe acquired brain injury, our lives were turned upside down. For me this was almost too much, however I had to help our daughter who was 7 at the time deal with this, & help her through the trauma. She had a school dance last week, I realised we had managed to get through it. This poem is for my girl Jemima.

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Look at you, not a girl anymore, not quite a woman 

Beautiful in your dress, hair all done up, wearing your first pair of heels 

Full of nerves for your first school dance, butterflies dancing in your stomach 

I can see the little girl you were, I now can imagine the woman you will be

Memories dash across my mind, your strong cry as you were born, your eye’s scrunched closed

Holding you as tears of joy fell down my cheeks, you were finally here

Watching your face as your eyes opened, watching you slowly quite down

As the months went by, watching you as you grew, ready to catch you if you fell 

At nine months you had a look of determination, you grabbed hold of my hands

Once you were standing you let go & walked across the room, you suddenly fell

I was there, I caught you, you looked up at me & smiled as if you knew I would always be there

I will let you walk your own path my girl, I will be right here

I will cheer you on, I will comfort you, I will always catch you if you fall, I will always help you back up

To let you keep walking your own path, in your way, to your own beat

I watch as you walk into the dance, a huge smile on your face, i smile to myself 

Despite the trauma we have faced, you are confident, self assured, happy & determined 

For this I am beyond thankful.

By Ellysa Greenhalgh

From: Australia

Website: https://ellpoet.wordpress.com

Twitter: Ellysapoet