I watched as the curtains rose from the floor. 

Apart of the audience 

on the sidelines 

in the back of the class 

just a fly on the wall I remain. 

In the shadows I creep 

growing in reverse. 

Smaller each minute 

younger each day. 

As a tiny innocent child 

I will wander the earth.  

Waiting to join the big kids, 

their mind games and big talk  

my words will stay dormant to their ears and my lips. 

I’ll stomp my feet when faced with their rejection 

I’ll ball my hands when they laugh.  

Knocking at their doors 

as I sleep on their front porch, 

waking to stare through the window. 

When I get too tired of their tricks 

I will sink down, 

and crawl through the doggy door 

looking for treats. 

As they look into my eyes 

I have seen my reflection in their pupils,  

when I look into them, I see nothing 

a hollowed-out version of myself 

nearly transparent  

with no backbone and open arms. 

They look at me with pity 

as they pat my head  

and give me a treat. 

As a dog I’ll sit and stand on command 

I’ll be a good girl. 

Growing 7 years to each human year. 

I’ll wear an idiotic proud smile when I eat a full meal 

as I promise that I will grow old 

I’ll be proud when I eat a full meal.  

Begging for the affection I deserve  

but never getting enough. 

One day the work I put in will unravel. 

As I am taken into the floor, 

through the chair I sit in watching the play.  

The claws will reach up and grab me 

wrapping their scaly fingers around me 

taking me into the earth. 

I’ll flail my skinny arms to wiggle away. 

Under the surface  

dirt will make its way into my throat  

clogging the lungs. 

I’ll no longer be able to breathe  

suffocated by the earth 

In the dirt I’ll stay  

And at the wake they’ll say how great I was 

how vivid I will stay in their memory. 

An everlasting candle never burning out  

shining brighter than the others, 

when really, I was just quite dull.  

and they made sure to tell me so.  

They’ll paint a picture of how they want to remember me,  

because funerals are nothing more than a party 

the living throw to make themselves feel better. 

So, until that day comes  

I’ll continue growing in reverse  

my now barren frame and slim figure 

will shrink with skin clinging to my bones  

with no muscles I’ll lay around  

I’ll waste less space  

take up less of their time. 

I’ll continue to lie in my bed 

as the darkness covers me 

staring at the ceiling  

a voice shall emerge from the dark  

“Congratulations,  

No one has to worry about you.  

you never do anything wrong,  

you never even do anything, 

except get smaller. 

Fading into the background enough  

so that no-one notices your few mistakes. 

Most kids would do anything to be like you 

aren’t you proud? 

Congratulations, 

you’re our 

Golden Child.” 

As the curtains fall  

I’ll bow my head and walk off stage 

Thank the audience for the time they wasted  

They’ll stay still staring at me  

And I’ll crawl back through the door I entered.