Dearest Life, Poem by Michelle Obaniyi

How I hate you so desperately for giving me so much to do in such little time.

For restricting me with such cruelty.

Why do I only get one chance?

Why must you limit me and constrain me?

Life, I want-to live in every country, experience every culture.

And travel and make friends with the other 8 billion across all nations.

I want to learn all the languages, and read every great piece of literature ever made.

I want to live in the countryside and I want to grow old with a large family, yet the paradox of me doesn't want one at all.

She wants to live in the city and work to her hearts desire, growing in peaceful solitude.

She wants to be a doctor, a teacher, an athlete, a dancer.

And I know she would love to bake every pastry. And sing every song. And learn every skill.

Also to her, it would be great to be an only child but having many siblings seems like greater fun.

She wants to experience being the oldest but wouldn't mind the title of youngest.

She ponders on what it's like to be a daughter or a son.

To be Him or her. Then and now.

She wants to have lived in every generation. In every timeline.

She wants to have tried every sport.

Then experiment with all the makeup looks. All the clothes.

She wants to be predator, but feels like prey.

And I want to live to my fullest potential. I cannot do all this is a measly 70 years.

Dearest life, you have cursed me with the greatest pain of existing.

Wondering what if.

What if I actually did?

What if I actually could?

What if not?

I apologize for my rudeness at the beginning,

But there is just too much to do for one lifetime.

Perhaps grant me another?

Love,

Michelle.

P. S- I must ask what happens in the after life? Or maybe that is a letter for another time.