I could have been the woolly Einstein, the genius keening at the stars,
the earthly power to devour all kind allegiance, unbound art.
Nefarious phases of the moon I could have harnessed, could have dazzled,
wowed, created spellbound trust.
Showed how to handle disruption and monsters, wild and unruly,
tamed with my mind.
I should have been the mad scientist, harbouring a supportive spouse in my shade.
Parented remotely, aloof with all answers, but no time to wonder, observe or listen.
And when knives have fallen, when chips have been laid,
asunder we surrender and wonder anew:
where power was parcelled, where prospects cut off.
findingtimetowrite 
What a powerful expression of that ‘would have, should have’ syndrome, Marina Sofia! It can be so hard to be content with what we are and have, but in the end I think it’s worth the effort.
How do you do that, Margot? I have just this minute posted it and already you have read and commented. You are just so fantastic, I can’t tell you how much I look forward to interaction with you, either on your blog or on mine.
How intriguing… all the things one could be, and not be….
I really enjoyed that Marina, a concise thoughtful poem with insight.
Possibilities and restrictions – or otherwise. Choices anyway you look at it. Wonderful post.
Love your turns of phrase here as well as the universal subject matter … the choice or choicelessness in life … what we set out for and what we did … “where power was parcelled…” I’m with Margot that, in the end, we are who we are here and now because of everything that’s lead us here.
Witty, humourous and sad. The last line is a gem.