You once asked

When we were small

And so full of wonder

“what do you want in life?”

“adventure!” I yelled giggling madly

Adventure to far-away places

With people of all kinds

You asked a second time

When we were kids

But not yet teens

“what do you want in life?”

“love” I sighed happily

Love for someone I call my own

You asked a third time

When we were grown

But not so much in the way of the world

“what do you want in life?”

“survive” I whispered readily

Staring out at a bleak world

You asked but a fourth time

When we had matured

“what do you want in life?”

I pondered the question

You’ve so often asked

And I’ve so readily answered

“to live” was my final answer