A Writing Dream Answered

A Writing Dream

By ten I dreamed of writing famously,

Words that would be known both here and abroad,

Words that would grow, not fade, in history,

Until my words in every school to children taught.

I read the masterworks that changed the world;

I learned from those who teach one how to write;

Then took command of my ship, sail unfurled;

Fingers descend like rain on keyboard day and night.

At thirty, I felt sure that I had failed;

Now thirty-one, no closer than at ten;

I am the captain; I choose where to sail;

Will I, in the end, dock my ship where it began?

And if I do, how will I live with it?

Would God have me captain an aimless ship?

Answer to a Writing Dream

It’s true, by ten I gave to you a dream;

A longing to create enchanting worlds,

You then immersed in worlds that you could read;

And tried to take command of my ship, sail unfurled.

Your mutiny is what set you adrift;

I made the ship just as I made the sea;

You mist, you vapor; you seem to forget

That I decide the names that grow in history.

At thirty, you were fast-asleep and failed;

At thirty-one, no wiser than at ten;

I am the captain; I choose where you sail;

I urge you not to dock the ship where it began.

For if you do, I will not live with it;

You will learn that I’ve granted you this ship.