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