I would love to speak,
………….For the ones with no voice.
I would love to fly,
………….Dance ballet through the open air,
And I would love to be a boy,
……………………For just for one day,
………………………………Experimenting with a new brain and body.
I would love to be a horse,
………….Wild and free
……………………Feeling the earth beneath me,
………………………………The sky above.
I would love,
………….To wander the world,
……………………See all the bright places.
I would love to dance on the beaches of Hawaii,
………….Surf in California.
……………………Climb the highest mountains,
………………………………Horseback ride through the rolling fields of Scotland.
I would love to touch someone else’s brain,
………….To understand every complex thought,
……………………See their dark.
I would love to tell stories of old,
………….Inspiring a generation of youthful minds.
……………………Examining the roots of humanity closely.
I would love to compose the music of life,
………….Writing new melodies,
……………………Embracing the counter harmonies,
………………………………Fine tuning each instrument until they all ring out together,
………………………………………..In perfect pitch.
I would love to be diverse in many languages,
………….To travel the world and understand everyone,
……………………To speak sign language,
………………………………And reach every type of person,
………………………………………..On an intimate level.
I would love to stand on top of a building,
………….Go out onto the ledge
……………………Scream at the top of my lungs.
……………………Feel
………………………………Adrenaline
………………………………………..And watch the people below me
…………………………………………………..Buzz around like busy bees.
I would love to be held by someone who wants me
………….Who understands my ever aching heart,
……………………And loves me for it,
I would love to fall helplessly in love
………….To be understood
………….On a deep level.
………….Fiercely.
……………………So intimate that I become encompassed by soft whispers
………………………………And gentle touches.
I would love to write something worth reading,
………….Something so powerful it moves hearts,
……………………And minds.
I would love to know myself,
………….Reach deep down into my soul,
……………………And gently place
………………………………All the broken pieces back together.
And one day,
I would love to die,
………….Not yet,
……………………But when it comes,
………………………………I want to embrace the dark,
………………………………………..To enter the light.
I would love to be something more than the pain I feel,
………….To feel beautiful and exquisite,
……………………Just like a lovely rose.
Above all else,
………….Above all of my wishes and dreams
I would love,
………….To save myself.
………………………………………..To feel everything.

Allison C.E. Winik is a 17-year-old girl who loves people and adventures. She lives in Ontario, Canada, and loves Canadian winters. Her favorite place in the world is Scotland, and she loves to learn about different types of people. When she’s not at the barn, you can find her writing poetry and music and playing the piano. She hopes to one day inspire people with her literature and write something worth reading. She believes that there is good in everyone if you look close enough. Even though she has her bad days, when she struggles to get out of bed, she tries to hold on to the hope that one day she can live free from pain and brokenness.