Steady with that light!
we have to check that he’s receptive
can he hear us?
can you hear us?
can you see us?
are you there?

Pulse is normal, steady breathing
but I don’t think that he’s seeing
any of us, and if
this weather holds –
these heavy snows –
then I suppose
that this could be a problem.

looking back, fifty years out
inept professors will make
their names off our angst.

I don’t want
to be poor;
I don’t want
to be rich;

I don’t want
to be bored;
I don’t want
to be boring;

I don’t want
to be listless;
I don’t want
to be committed;

I don’t want
to be responsible;
I don’t want
to be useless;

I don’t want
to be my father;
I don’t want
to be alone;

But all of this exact knowledge
as to what I do not want
is in no sense equal
to having the faintest idea
as to what I do want
or who I want to be.

I want to be cool
I want to be fun

I want to be respected
I want to be a good son

I want to have a reason
I want to have a plan

I want to be liked
I want to be your man

I want to be envied
I want to have a heart

I want to be cultured
I want to be smart

I want to be chained
I want to be free

I want to be rich
I want life to be easy.

But all of these small wants
only show a mosaic
of my impenetrable, true desire,
be that God, purpose, faith
truth, sex, money, power
friends, family, love,
or what?

that
you you you you ‘re
my hero.