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As a young child,
I had wishes, tame and wild.
At Christmas, I wished for things,
like bikes, dolls and golden rings.
When I was a teen,
I wished for things I hadn't done or hadn't seen;
to vacation in a cabin high on a mountain,
where I could feel the warming sun,
with a roof made of rusting tin,
the better to hear a summer shower's din.
As a young, single-minded mother,
I made wishes for my child and no other.
When I became a little older,
my wishes became much bolder.
A wish for all wars to end,
that was a good wish to defend.
Then as I became more mature,
my wishes weren't so sure.
I could wish wishes all day,
but wishing wishes didn't mean I'd have my way.
It was in the doing that things got done,
that's the only way wishes were won.
Instead of saying, "I wish", I began to say, I'd like",
then do what it took with all my might.
Whether working more hours to earn the money
or painting a drab room to make it look sunny,
I found when I said, 'I'd like",
more of what had been wishes, came within sight.
I learned this lesson, too,
sometimes it takes a lot of work to make them come true.

Learn more about this author, Barbara Walker.
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