I WISH I COULD

I wish i could speak of love
The way others do
Painting colorful pictures 
With their emotions bleeding through 
I wish I could... but I can't 

I wish I could share my childhood experiences 
With loving parents always by my side
Or a picnic on a beautiful summers day 
With family and friends 
Playing games in the rain 
I wish I could... but I can't 

I wish I could experience love 
The way others do
The childlike smiles and warm embrace 
Gazing into each other's eyes 
And stroking my lovers face
I wish I could.. but I can't 

I wish I could sing a beautiful love song 
That the world could sing along 
Or write a poem that captures the imagination 
Of literary world 
Having my name in lights and going on a book tour
I wish I could... but I can't 

I was born with a cleft palate 
A facial scar many hearts cannot embrace 
They turn their heads away from me 
With the first glance of my face 
My limbs are deformed and my voice comes and goes 
And three days after I was born
I was left at the side of the road

I wish I was beautiful 
Like all the other people in the world 
I wish I was accepted from the time I was born 
I wish I was able to change myself 
I wish I could.. but I can't.

Wilford Barker.