Enough for Eight Lifetimes

Something I want,

Something I want,

I could fill a book in nine point font with things I want.

I could tell you about my castle on a hill built like a Roman colosseum,

with a hammock swinging idly in the wind from where it hangs,

from two free-standing columns next to a pond.

I could tell you about the room in the back of that castle,
bigger than my master bedroom, with as many desks as I can fit,
cabinets and shelves dedicated only to the holding of paper and paint.

I could tell you about the one desk in the middle, thick and solid,
as big as my arm span in any direction, curling around my body,
a deep red underneath the stains and spills of ink and oil.

I could tell you about the Ragdoll cat I spent too much money on,
Whom I played with for hours before I carefully fell in love with.
Who lays in my lap and drapes like a garment over my shoulder while I work.

I could tell you about my job that isn’t so much a job, because I love it,
about getting paid to play with new technology and do that which I would have done anyway.
Creating worlds and characters, breathing virtualized life into little parts of myself,
watching as they play their script and shape the lives of young and old, real people, for the better.

I could tell you about my reach, and how it will one day extend beyond my fingertips,
into hearts to tug strings I find there, into minds to coax questions from lips, that had before not wondered beyond their white picket mentality.

I could tell you about drawing forth a revolution from the souls of the public; sewing knowledge, and wisdom into the neurons of the electorate, and reminding humans of their humanity.

Exhibiting the magic and wonder that we so often forget, and pursuing contentment and passion.

I want to waltz around the room and through my life taking hurdles like stepping stones.

There are a million and a half things I want.
Enough wanting to fill eight lifetimes happily.
But I have just the one,
and  I’ve decided on a few chapters of my Book of Want.

A castle, a cat, and the chance to change lives.