She drew a princess and her parents tried
to give her due and praise her royally.
She crayoned ballerinas – they applied
to have their girl instructed classically.
She started sketching horses at age 10
and mother signed her up to learn to ride.
At 12 they found a private teacher, when
her careless watercolor won a prize.

Those pictures were so powerful, it took
her 40 years to figure how to hold
her pencil well or type her copy right.
It seemed as if her little talents shook
her parents’ world. She thought her will controlled
their hearts, for she was first and she was bright.