I want to lasso the sun out of the sky
And claim it as mine. Only let it shine in
my own backyard. The rest of the world can
live in shade. They’ll never know why it
strayed. Why shouldn’t it be only for me?

I want to cage the wood thrush so much.
Only have him sing his beautiful long song for
my ears alone, like a music box that comes with
a lock. Others can enjoy the kee-eeeee-arr of the
hawk. Why shouldn’t it be only for me?

I want to pick all the flowers; put them in
my room. Light up the air with their sweet
perfume, until their colorful heads droop, like
noodles in a chicken soup. Because they

haven’t the sun or the beautiful sound
of the wood thrush’s song, or the swing of the
breeze, or the pitter-patter of the rain as a tease. Maybe
here is where they don’t belong, arranged en masse
in a tall translucent glass.