Look at me, mummy!
I’ve been at work for a year!
Mummy do you remember
You were so worried I wouldn’t have a
Job to go back to?
Because who wants a teacher who
Can barely speak above a whisper?
Thank goodness my voice got better
And I’ve been at work a whole year.

Look at me, mummy!
I’m doing Tae Bo!
Angrily punching invisible assholes!
Remember there was a time when
I could barely even stand
Because my blood just couldn’t send
Enough oxygen to my brain,
And I would faint
If I got up too fast
Good thing that didn’t last.

Look at me, mummy!
A hundred bucks’ worth of sushi!
All sitting in my tummy!
Surprising how quickly your stomach learns
To stop going into reverse
Every time some food drops in.
Chemo messes up everything.

Look at me, mummy!
My hair’s so pretty now!
People stare and say wow
At my soft fluffy curls
That means a lot to a girl.
Because one year ago, the stares
Were targeted at my lack of hair.
A pink bandanna, screaming loud
“Underneath this I’m really bald!”
But the staring made me stronger inside
It taught me how to walk with pride
Because what can gazes do to you
They only mean something if you let them through.

So look at me mummy, look at me now
We made it through, knew we would somehow
Find a way through all the fear and the pain
And learn to enjoy our lives again.
So don’t cry mummy, don’t cry no more
Everything’s the way it was before
I’m alive because you paid the price
Thank you for giving me life – twice.