Good-bye tiny toddler, good-bye timid tot
Today a tough ten-year-old’s all that I’ve got
Three times taller and talkative, too.
Thrill-seeking, tricky, tyranical you.

Tripping through troubles I can’t terminate
Trying out teenage tricks and temporary new traits
You’re testing your tethers (oh my traumatized heart)
But it’s time for your own thorny triumphs to start

So take off!  Go tackle the trickiest tests!
Toil up the tall mountains! (Til you’re tired, then go rest.)
Torpedo the terrors that stand in your way!
Try new things! Oh, ten-year-old, trounce life each day!