Measuring tape

You, the Queen, I, the crumb 'neath the table—
Non-existent
till you heard them exclaim I was beautiful
smart and talented.
And then you noticed, startled.

Is that when
you started measurement points
next to my natural growth points?

For each time I lost, I shrunk in your eyes
once again
to the crumb on the floor.

For each time I won
you pretended you didn't know...

Did it help ease the pain of when you felt you didn't 'measure up?'
 
So absorbed in your game
of measuring up and down my measurements
you forgot your own—
that you were beautiful too!
And smart and talented.
Futile traits now I guess—'cause
you are now just a Measuring Tape.

I wish I knew how to set you free of your misery—
from the price you've paid for knowing me.
And I'm sorry for the pain I've caused you
albeit unwittingly for I was only a child

Even now
I wouldn’t know how to try though...'cause
I still don't know how to measure.