Oh to be the tree-
To have half my body submerged in Earth.
Toes to reach the river bank
My skin to fold and harden,
hair to fray and split,
shoulders to become a resting place for
the birds.
Oh to be a bird-
Sing harmoniously with those around me.
To match the wind in pitch and glide,
to pry, snap, and twist away my nesting Bay,
to wallow on a wire and never fall.
Oh to be the cat –
with no ability to differ my legs from my tail.
One that can perch and pounce.
Perhaps one that chases the bird and hugs the tree.
Yellow, or black striped, or white maybe.
None of those will hack away my spirit and curiosity.
Oh to be the worm-
With no idea of frayed hair, barbed wire, or 9 lives.
To crinkle and expand among the earthy toes of trees.
To feel the water swell around me as the soil drinks.
Oh to be human-
To have a lip that is stuffed with tobacco and eyes that may be lagged.
With 10 toes and 10 fingers that grab, pull, and paddle.
To have brushed hair and weary of my smell.
Oh to be human, just for a day, I would watch the world around me play.
