The child within would cringe to hear me say
My hours are rarely mine, with which to be
The grownup who is making her own way,
instead of working for a salary.

I don’t believe that wealth is the true key,
But there are things I want, and things I need.
Since those I love depend, in part, on me…
My money motivation’s more than greed.

I sometimes feel a traitor as I read,
The words I put to page when I was young
Because that child had dreams alone to feed -
And never had to climb the working rung,

And never had the need to be redeemed.
The grownup pays to live what youth had dreamed.