About wishes

A man, his foe and his friend
Together searched a desert
For mighty God who’d put an end
To thoughts that were unpleasant.

The friend of man, though young and strong,
Of old age was thinking,
When brains don’t know right from wrong,
Disturbed by rapid shrinking.

The foe’s thoughts were quite the same.
Although his biggest worry
Was all about becoming lame
And staying behind his quarry.

The man himself was thinking of
His loneliness and boredom,
When youth and strength will send him off
To be his own burden.

So, very hopeful, they sought
The one who’d be their healer
And quickly kill their common thought,
Which was a slow killer.

They searched the east, the west they searched,
The southern end, the northern…
Then, out of clouds, God emerged
And stood, in flesh, before them.

“Well, well. Who’s first? Let’s start with you.”
He pointed at the foe.
“You wish to keep your strengths and youth…”
“For never lying low!”

The foe exclaimed. God waved his hand –
The foe became an oak.
“You’re next.” He pointed at the friend,
Who shrank before his stroke.

“You wish to keep your wits intact.
To judge what you’ve been told?”
“Oh no!” the friend cried out. “In fact,
I’d have them grow old!”

“Well, as you wish.” God waved his hand –
The friend became a cow
That kicked the hardest oak and
Expected it to bow.

“You’re last.” God pointed at the man,
Who stared without blinking
And thought of an upcoming ban
On his habitual thinking.

“Well, choose,” God said. “Your fate is drawn
By you. And no switching!
To be forever young and strong
Or grow old. Which one?”

“Almighty God,” the man replied,
“I choose to be… and grow!”

God pondered, “Hmm…” And then – revived
The friend of man, and foe.


~~~

January 3, 2015