Little Mary-Lynn
By Diana Bates

Little Mary-Lynn
Only reached the height of her mother’s waist.
She would help her mother cook in the kitchen
And always took the first taste.

Little Mary-Lynn
Would follow her father and mother into the bedroom.
His hand around his wife’s waist,
As they began to kiss under the moon.

Little Mary-Lynn
Would watch and just stand there.
They hadn’t noticed,
But even as she left,
She could still hear.

Little Mary-Lynn
Had pondered over and over about this.
The experience of holding hands
And having her very first kiss.

Little Mary-Lynn
Decided to be funny.
She went into her mother’s closet,
And made herself look quite silly.

Little Mary-Lynn
Took her mother’s tall heels.
She wore red lipstick,
And all the heavy makeup to see how it feels.

Little Mary-Lynn
Then went outside;
Flew down the steps,
Inhaling all her pride.

Little Mary-Lynn
Had gone searching for her other.
She needed someone else,
She needed another.

Little Mary-Lynn
Went skipping through the fields.
Her heart bounced lightly,
As she had removed all of her shields.

Little Mary-Lynn
Then took a break from walking.
She decided to sit down by a trash can
And then heard something barking.

Little Mary-Lynn
Investigated the scene.
Her eyes opened wide,
And started to gleam.

Little Mary-Lynn
Found a dog of such size.
A few inches taller;
It was her new golden prize.

Little Mary-Lynn
Then gave the dog her whole heart.
She never imagined a day
The two would be torn apart.

Little Mary-Lynn
Then scattered up the stairs.
She ran to her room
And moved around all her chairs.

Little Mary-Lynn
Had the dog leased to her.
Yet she did not realize
It was actually vice versa.

Little Mary-Lynn
Then closed her eyes.
She reached over closer
To her daydream,
Hidden in disguise.

Little Mary-Lynn,
Started to give kisses.
She did all she could
And complied to all his wishes.

Little Mary-Lynn
Then hugged the air.
When she opened her eyes,
She realized her dog was never there.

Little Mary-Lynn,
Broken hearted as she was.
Started to then cry
And wonder what was the cause.

Why did he leave,
Little Mary-Lynn?
She was a child;
A fool though,
Wasn’t she?
What if I told you
Little Mary-Lynn
Was actually fifteen;
Would you believe me?