I worked and worked and worked

and it seemed like no one noticed the effort

only the imperfection and the short comings. 

They say the industry is tough 

and that you have to have thick skin

but there is a difference between criticism and hate

Being only nine

a person isn't equipped to deal with the hate

with the words that cut and burn

But getting up on stage 

is an accomplishment already

just being able to say "Here I am," is enough

I know that today I am enough

and that my performance

or my looks or my voice or my money

do not define my value

Only I can decide what I am capable of