Love as Though

My 8-year-old
Has memorized a poem
From a greeting card.
She recites it
From the back seat of the car:
 
Dance as though no one is watching, 
Sing as though no can hear, 
Love as though you’ve never been hurt,
Live as though heaven is on earth.

I sing loudly
And dance around in my seat.
She says: “Mom, people are watching!” 
Then grins, real big.

When she gets to:
Love as though you’ve never been hurt 
I say: “I’m trying,”
And my baby girl says:
“I know, it’s hard . . .”