You Can't Be That

　　　　　　　　by Brian Patten

　　I told them:

　　When I grow up

　　I'm not going to be a scientist

　　Or someone who reads the news on TV.

　　No, a million birds will fly through me.

　　I'M GOING TO BE A TREE!

　　They said,

　　You can't be that. No, you can't be that.

　　I told them:

　　When I grow up

　　I'm not going to be an airline pilot,

　　A dancer, a lawyer or an MC.

　　No, huge whales will swim in me.

　　I'M GOING TO BE AN OCEAN!

　　They said,

　　You can't be that. No, you can't be that.

　　I told them:

　　I'm not going to be a DJ,

　　A computer programmer, a musician or beautician.

　　No, streams will flow through me, I'll be the home of eagles;

　　I'll be full of nooks, crannies, valleys and fountains.

　　I'M GOING TO BE A RANGE OF MOUNTAINS!

　　They said,

　　You can't be that. No, you can't be that.

　　I asked them:

　　Just what do you think I am?

　　Just a child, they said,

　　And children always become

　　At least one of the things

　　We want them to be.

　　They do not understand me.

　　I'll be a stable if I want, smelling of fresh hay,

　　I'll be a lost glade in which unicorns still play.

　　They do not realize I can fulfil any ambition.

　　They do not realize among them

　　Walks a magician.