CLUMSY
‘Clumsy, awkward Annie,’ a name I knew all too well,
It was called after me on the many times that I fell,
No one came to help me up, so I would struggle to stand,
‘Big boots!’ Oh why don’t the children try to understand?

I wore high boots almost up to my scarred, weak knees,
The Orthopaedic surgeon said that I really needed these.
Then one day he mentioned if I exercised every single day
I may be able, if I worked hard, to throw those boots away.

Dancing was the answer, lessons at least twice a week,
Practice every day, to strengthen my legs and ankles weak,
Just like the doctor said, one day I threw my horrid boots away,
And danced like a pretty fairy on stage, what a wonderful day.

I would never be a prima donna, but I always did very well,
My legs became very strong, my friends could never tell
That I had to wear high boots to walk, and awkward too,
For I was a graceful dancer , my secret known to very few.

Later some of those name callers became friends of mine,
I wondered if they remembered, but then that was fine,
It did not matter what they said for I could dance and sing,
And when they came to concerts, they never said a thing.

M Ann Margetson December 5, 2001