Little girl, bambina,
treasure of daddy’s heart.
A girl-child set gracefully apart
from the boys running free beyond the yard.
Little girl, bambina,
kneeling in the pew.
A girl-child quietly humming the chorus
while the boys sing free up in the choir loft.
Little girl, bambina
patiently waiting for adulthood
a girl-child home obeying family rules
while the boys explore the world.
Little girl, bambina
now grown and flown from home
no longer a mere girl-child
but an America woman fully grown.
How blessed to be an American woman;
Though Italian, and Catholic grown.
Now free to run alongside the boys.
The world is yours to own.
Little girl, bambina
delighted to be free
and equal to any boy or man.
That is what it means to be an American.
Little girl, bambina,
no treasure now are you aware.
A woman without freedom nor equality,
is your burden, once more, to bear.
annarino writes 