A little girl scout earns her badge for survival.
She\'s mama\'s little helper as they prepare to make supper.
She\'s the middle sister but holds the small ones while they sleep.
She\'s daddy\'s little girl who doesn\'t ever weep.
A few years later, she threw in her sash.
She tried to help mama, but moved out with dad.
Her little sisters stayed behind and lulled themselves to sleep.
Dad\'s always working and she always feels weak.
Daddy\'s little girl isn\'t a child anymore.
She tried to kill the pain then she fell to the floor.
She\'s still the big sister but now angry and bitter.
The younger ones know she just wants mommy here with her.
But mama went away, she lives in the sky above her head.
The teenage girl sits. She cries and never moves from her bed.
The former girl scout begs for the voices to stop.
She hangs a rope up and still ties the best knots.
They had told the girl not to fear her room when it grows dark..
But she wishes they had warned her about what darkness does to the heart.
(m.g)