Love Costs A Few Things

What would it take for you to miss that meeting today?
On my 7th birthday?
Or not pick up that call,
When I was talking about Powerpuff girls?

If you turned to look at my face,
When I said that boy from class pinched me.
How much would it cost you if you validated my pain?
How high would your bills be if you acknowledged my frowns?

How special would I need to be,
For you listen to the things I don’t say?
For you to hear the cries I don’t make?
For you pay attention to all the different ways I’ve changed?

For you to notice how I don’t even like chips nowadays,
Because Susan and Jaymo made fun of my weight.
For you to notice I’m always in a sweater,
In the hot and dry December sun,
Because I don’t know how to tell you I need a bra.
If only you noted that I laugh with a hand over my mouth,
Because I think I need braces for my crooked teeth.

How much would it cost you, Mummy?
To say you’re proud of me?
How much would it cost you, Dad?
To say I’m beautiful just the way that I am?
How much would it cost you?
To love me simply because I am yours?