I am not what you think I am br I am not the tall, forceful woman making the br Decisions o her own mind and body br I am a young girl takin advantage of br By the world in which I live br I am a victim of a complication of the brain br Not the complecation vitimizing you br I am neither the sticks nor the stones br I am the skinney bones you found me as br Because names and images can hurt me br br I am not the cargo ship br I am the package that was enclosed, br Stamped, and shipped away br I am not the knife that cut into your finger br While you were preparing our food br I am the cucumber sliced into pieces br br I am not the tornado br I am not the storm br I am the house spinning out of control br The windows drenched in rain br br I am not the teacher br I am the student br br Dad, I know that your blood vessels are enflamed br Your muscles frozen, when someon etries to hurt me br But enemies aren't always tangible br br You once pushed me on the swings, but now br I have to make it to the top on my own br Dad, you have to guide me with the br Gentle warmth of your fingers wrapped br Around mine, not the forcefulness of your br Palms against my shoulders br br Dear Dad, please continue to learn br How to love me br I love youbr br Brie Carterbr br