The boon of youth is a life of immense and infinite possibilities ahead. The bane of old age is that you are left with just the satisfaction or regret of a life well lived or not so well lived. The old age satisfaction of a life well led cannot rival the excitement of what lies ahead for the youth. The following is an unedited poem written by my daughter one fine evening – it surprised me and made me proud too!!
I want to be a writer, and spin a tale enticing.
I want to be a writer and keep this world gawking.
I want to be a writer and watch this world crumble.
I want to be a writer, must I be humble?
I want to be a bed time story, not a martyr’s book.
But do I really want to be, a faceless little crook?
I want to be an actress and watch this world sparkle.
I want to be an actress, the glamor and the awful.
I want to be an actress, I want to make them laugh,
make them cry, Make em weep,
Want, long, live, die, breathe.
I want to be an actress, I want it all for me.
But do I really want to be a Jane, a Jone, a Lisa,
A dutchess, a princess, a mistress or an actor?
Do I really want to dance for this Director?
I want to be an orator, and feel the crowd cheer.
I want to be an orator and watch their faces whilst they hear.
And hear of beauty, of poverty, of grief, of strife.
I want to be an orator; I want to feel those wings
Of those millions who applaud, talk of me as kings!
But do I really want to be at the mercy of some critique?
Who lives a life, telling everyone how to live it!
I want to be a leader, soar in all that power.
And look straight into those paupers eye’s
Who wants me my love to shower.
I want to be a leader, tall as Mount Dutchess.
I want to be a leader, not a standard I want less!
But do I really want to be left answerable to people?
Little people? Silly people? Argumentative people?
Greedy people? Filthy people? Dark people? Good people?
People?
I want to be that pauper, not a penny less not a penny more.
Just a fist full of dollars.
I want to be that pauper, that man you just ignored.
Because then I am everywhere and nowhere.
Everything and nothing.
I want to be that pauper, that face you just forgot.
Just a prig out of the lot.
But do I really want the rags and not the riches?
The damp dirty ditches?
But alas! I know what I want.
Immortality. Yes?
To be that bedtime story,
To be that body that seduced you,
That man who just moved you,
That crook that just duped you,
That mistress who just tempted you,
That wife who supported you,
That child who questioned you,
The mother that nurtured you,
The boss who hired you,
The god that inspired you.
I WANT NO MORE THAN EVERYTHING!
Inspiration: Daddy dearest and the movie, Nine!