A day or a lifetime

Those of us that 

aspire to be great

are content with the everlasting

monotony of life. 

At least in the beginning. 

We tell ourselves

It's payment

for the awe inspiring lives 

we'll lead one day

So we're content 

with putting our nose to the grindstone

And depriving ourselves of sleep

so we can pay the bills

and work on our futures by night

Like a caterpillar 

we know we will one day

take on new form

sprout wings 

and fly away

But we forget 

that not all butterflies

are the same.

Some live years

and some live days.

With the work put in

one day we will get our chance 

to transform

but for how long we get to fly is not up to us

So we begin to question

the reason we aspire to be great.

Will we get to enjoy it?

Or will it be ripped away from us

at the very instant we obtain it. 

What if

God forbid

We accomplish our dreams?

What a terrifying thought.