Her name was Kathleen

She was well-dressed and competent but mean

In my favorite movie

Is it my favorite because I’m the girl in her shadow

Like the girl in the film

I’ve learned you have to stand in the shadow before you can bask in the light

Dress clothes aren’t comfortable

And heels don’t fit right

But I’m on the heels of my predecessor

Like the girl in the movie

Not quite pretty enough or full enough or tough enough

Criticism is hard but makes one better

Working in the trenches takes grit

Sitting in the back, quietly observing yields wit

I’m not here to displace

Just trying to find my space

I took Kathleen’s advice

And I dressed nice

Studied hard, practiced, learned from her sway

Keeping in mind I will ultimately be in her shoes one day

But I won’t be mean

And you know, looking back, she wasn’t

Maybe I was just green

All her words that were so pungent

Shaped me

They pulled me up onto the horse, onto the ladder, into the arena

Now with some charm

I’m a woman (I wouldn’t say a ballerina)

Things are a little easier

That once mountain is a hill

Who can climb it

The one who listens

The one who spends time in the shadow – paying attention

Will