quiet aspirations

little girl in wheaton playing in the yard while holding onto her dog

the entire time, who looked on patiently

sleeping in the sun on almost-dry grass

baby, you're too free to settle down -

you need to see the world,

touch the sky,

own nothing before you do.

sugar, you're too strong to settle down -

you need to climb some mountains,

jump some bridges,

rule the cities before you do.

honey, you're too sad to settle down -

you need to breathe some sunshine,

grow some gardens,

smile your own smile before you do.

baby, I'm too me to settle down -

I need to swim some oceans,

talk some crazy,

laugh among the stars before I do.

you keep turning -

i'll keep moving,

and we'll first learn to be still.