If I Could Wish the World a Little Wilder

Oh, I wish that butterflies were *big* —
with spotted wings to lift me high,
like a pollen fleck from a sleepy flower
floating up into the sky.

I wish the fish had friendly smiles
before they swish through streams so clear,
a little wave, a wink goodbye —
then gone! And wasn't that dear?

I wish the tigers changed their stripes
like mama's coat — red, green, and blue,
a new one every single morning,
stepping out in something new.

And elephants! Oh, tiny ones —
with ears that flap in jiggly joy,
waddling round in jumbly dances,
tiny as a little toy.

But ants — oh no, keep *those* ones small.
They bit me once beside the jar,
the cookie jar I wasn't meant to reach —
some wishes best stay where they are.

I wish the birds had two arms too,
to pick the berries flying low,
one arm to fly, one arm to gather,
a berry-picking show!

And oh ... I wish my ginger cat could speak,
just softly, in that purring way,
to curl beside me in the lamplight
and tell me tales to end the day.