A villanelle

She stands firmly in an adult world

Unflinching, watching the haste

But she’s still just a little girl

When faced with a bitter storm

The tree that does not bend is the one that breaks

And she stands firmly in an adult world

Gleaming softly, like an expensive pearl

She stands out, aside from the race

Because she’s still just a little girl

She remembers times of fable and lore

Fairies and goblins and sugared cakes

She dances to songs in twists and twirls

And fears the black night with the stoney mace

Because she’s still just a little girl

She puts a mask of determination on her face

And, carrying on, with admirable grace

She stands firmly in an adult world

But she’s still just a little girl