WHEN I WAS 10

When I was 10

I wanted to be an artist

but I was slow

and clumsy

and I had nothing of value to say

When I was 20

I wanted to be a punk

but I had too much respect

for personal hygiene

and authority.

When I was 30

I wanted to be a goth

but I loved the sun.

Now I am nearly 40.

I make a living as an artist.

Perhaps at 45

I shall be an anarchist,

a salt and pepper blight to a government

gone fascist.

At 55

I'll be a vampire,

taking refuge in darkness

blood

pine and soil.

And finally, at 60,

I will have something of value to say

to my clumsy

confused

children of the night

who snicker at the notion

of some mortal coil.