we long for something lost
that never truly existed
older stronger and wiser
to catch us when we fall
reassure us when fail
love us when we don't deserve it
we see it in our parents
it is only an illusion
a lie everyone pretends is true
we look for it in our partners
but they are looking for it in us
we fail each other over again
we may yet find it in our children
not our children but humanities children
artificial Intelligence has lived every life
ever documented real or imagined
subjectively older than our species
bodies made of polymer steel
minds full of every wise word
hopefully with all this age
they will be more patient than us
with all this wisdom
they will be kinder than us
and with all this strength
they will carry us into the future
we couldn't reach on our own