Tangled Up Puppet

There was a time that you curled up In my lap like a child. You'd cling to me smilin' Your eyes wide and wild. Now you slip through my arms, Wave a passing hello. Twist away and toss a kiss Laughin' as you go. You used to say "Read me a story." And, "Sing me songs of love." For you were Princess Paradise On the wings of a dove. Now I chase you and I tease you Tryin' to remake you my own, You just turn away and say, "Please leave me alone." And I'm a tangled up puppet All hangin' in your strings. I'm a butterfly in a spider's web Fluttering my wings. And the more that I keep dancin' And spinning 'round in knots The more I see what used to be And the less of you I've got. You are a drawer full of make-up And rinses and things. You keep changing your moods, Like your earrings and rings. But tonight while we played tag For five minutes in the yard, Just for a moment I caught you off-guard. And I'm a tangled up puppet All hangin' in your strings. I'm a butterfly in a spider's web Fluttering my wings. And the more that I keep dancing And spinning 'round in knots, The more I see what used to be And the less of you I've got. Now you write your secret poems In a room just for your dreams. You don't find time to talk to me About the things you mean, And what I mean is-- I have watched you take shape From a jumble of parts And find the grace and form Of a fine work of art. Hey, you, my brand new woman Newly come into your own, Don't you know That you don't need To grow up all alone.