When I Grow Up I Want to Be a List of Further Possibilities

by Chen Chen

I’m envious of my neighbors who live in a cooler house. I’m envious of Neruda for having written better poems & for having lived in a cooler house. I’m envious of poetry for being more & better than I could ever be. I’m envious of the redwood who never has to say I am & who will outlive me. I’m envious of those who can consistently resist pseudo-Buddhist romanticizations of nonhuman entities. I’m envious of the clouds who can from time to time fall completely apart & everyone just says, It’s raining, & someone might even bring cats & dogs into it, no one says, Stop being so dramatic or You should see a professional. My envy despises your more dramatic & photogenic envy.