Strong Like an Eagle

Sometimes, I want to be a dragonfly.

Then, I could fly and buzz and hum my cares away. I could zip around whenever and wherever I wanted. I could make my company among the horseflies, the toads, the turtles, and the fish of all the ponds and lakes. I could feel the breeze and hot summer days on my skin and glide my fragile wings through them. My view of the world would be limited to the sunrise and the sunset reflected off the water each and every day. My world would shrink down to a lake and a backyard. All the problems of everyday life would be beyond my reach.

Sometimes, I want to be an eagle.

Then, I could be a predator of the skies and everything I could see would become my kingdom, my domain. All other creatures would look up and marvel at my majesty and beauty. Nothing could stop me or touch me. I would soar over trees, rivers, roads, fields, mountains, always silently. People would see me, but they would never know me. I would live far away tucked in a tree; my view of the world would expand. I would see more of the world at once, but distance myself from the turmoil below me. I would stalk my prey quickly before returning to the safety of the skies.

Sometimes, I want to be a lion.

Then, I could be royalty. I could rule over all creatures and I would be feared. I could make my presence known everywhere I walked. I could walk fearlessly even through strife. I would be confident, I would be proud of who I am. My view of the world would be limited to myself, where I could become more and discover more of who I am. Problems would not concern me because I would know that I could overcome them. Earth would be my domain; I could see the world up close and in detail.

Sometimes, I want to be a fish.

Then, I would be free. My home would be the vast ocean in all of its splendor. I would know nothing of the quandaries of life. My house would be in a school, so I could gain infinite knowledge and learn all the time. I would be wise. My view of the world would be the unknown, confined to eternal blue, yet much more than I could even discover. I would constantly be surrounded by mystery, beauty. I would make my friends with the crabs, corals, and starfish that brought the coral reefs to life. The disturbances of human life could never touch me, for humans fear the unknown.

Sometimes, I want to be all these things.

Then, I remember my life here and now. I remember my future, my hopes and dreams in life. I remember all the people I love, all my friends and family. I remember all my victories and successes. I remember everything I've ever learned. I remember that even though there are problems, I can make my world small like a dragonfly, I can be strong like an eagle, I can be confident like a lion, and then, I will be free like a fish.