Wanting

This poem was inspired a by a conversation that I had with a relative a while back; we have very different personalities, and nine times out of ten don't agree on the same things. But lately, it has made me think about the concept of wanting something, or multiple things. This is my response to that conversation.

Wanting

A hot summer day

We drive with the glare of the sun beating down

He turns to me, like so many times before

Switches the radio down and begins to lecture me about life

Some things never change

He tells me, “you want far too much than you can ever have”

“You don’t know how to be grateful”

“You’re materialistic”

“Unrealistic”

“These dreams and wishes of yours might never come to pass”

Meanwhile, my head is pressed against the window

Staring out at the sky, I pretend that I hear him

Yet, I’m only trying to let it go in one ear and out the other

On the inside, his words light a fire in my heart

That leads to defense in my mind

Although gratitude was hardly ever my strong suit, I’m taking a step back

And recognizing what’s important

Why is everything considered unrealistic?

Nothing is ever easy to come by anymore

I’m a dreamer, you know

If I am determined to achieve something, it propels me

Like a warrior, I don’t allow any obstacle to keep me from fighting

On the other side, If I’m not ready or it does not feel right

No one but the will of God can make me move

So don’t try to convince me otherwise

What is so wrong with asking?

What is the harm in believing you’re capable of more than what is expected of you?

Then again, not many walk in my shoes

Or understand the frustration that comes with working to achieve a goal

But not knowing how

Perhaps our desires, our hopes, our dreams are not about gaining anything

But experiencing peace and clarity

The freedom to move forward

To do what we feel is right

So before you accuse someone of wanting too much

Before you try and tell them that they’re never satisfied

Sit down and really listen to what they’re saying

Perhaps the question is not, “what do you want?”

But rather, “why?”