when I was a child

I wished I was a wizard

it took a long time for me to realize

humans cannot be trusted with magic

greedy, short-sighted, violent

I became a therapist instead

(after a brief detour)

working with those same humans

vulnerable, well-meaning, overwhelmed

when they say,

“I need to process trauma”

or

“I wish someone cared about me”

my ears take in those needs

and together we get to work

but

sometimes

they say,

“I just need to pay my heat bill”

or

“There are no shelters taking anyone like me in”

my ears take in those needs, too

I want to respond helpfully

but my mouth cannot print money

for the first time

as an adult

I wish I was a wizard again