i wish

I wish I had known I was only a child

A kid, a brat, a youth

I wish I had crumbled and fallen

Crying, crushed, and helpless

Like the lamb I was.

I wish I hadn’t been able to bear the weighty, invisible globe that thundered upon my shoulders, stretching my muscles, and harshly teaching me strength

Strength to carry what wasn’t mine to carry.

I wish I hadn’t been able.

Then I might have learned not to.