Three Wishes

by Elsa Louise von Schreiber

(After Auden)

Had I a way to change the course
The sun sails through the sky—
“Go north to south, or south to north,
Or west to east!” I’d cry.

Or better yet, the river runs
From mountains to the sea.
I’d say, “Instead, swing ’round your tack!
Defy all gravity!”

Why on earth would I ever wish
To amend such laws as these?
Reverse the river, shift the sun:
Such crazed hypotheses.

And all the clocks, I’d notify
To stop their hands. Then we
Would craft our life from bliss, and I
Could keep you safe with me.

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