Everything There are comedians who say that all women answer the question "What do you want?" with "Everything" It's supposed to be a ridiculous answer-- but when I think of Sylvia staring at her fig tree and all the compromises that never had to be made by women throughout history-- it seems like the most appropriate response. After all, want isn't need. Want isn't a list of demands, it's a list of desires. And how wonderful is it that people aren't ashamed of dreaming anymore? I think it's ridiculous that being practical boils down to being fatalistic to some people Or that being realistic can be equated with being defeatist. What do you mean realistically we're doomed? Assuming we aren't doomed doesn't mean floating around in a pink bubble and denying the existence of pain or strife Just like walking around with a big black cloud over your head doesn't mean you don't crack a smile or accept a hug every now and then We're all layered hypocritical silly silly creatures-- and we all hope (for something or other) And when we look really ugly, that hope is sort of our saving grace I'm sick of that word 'or' I'm the living embodiment of 'and'-- it's how I was made. East and west and art and science and outrageous and banal and everything in between. Whenever I tried to choose one lifestyle, whenever I tried to pigeonhole myself, I felt like I was deciding which parent I loved more. It's not ridiculous to hope. It's not ridiculous to wish for everything. I want to be everything and have everything and do everything. Why not? |