by Stephen Parrish

‘d be happy if only my book were finished.

My book is finished, and I’d be happy if only I had an agent.

I have an agent, and I’d be happy if only I had a publisher.

I have a publisher, and I’d be happy if only my book were a bestseller.

My book is a bestseller, and I’d be happy if only it won a Pulitzer.

It won a Pulitzer, and I’d be happy if only they awarded me a Nobel.

They awarded me a Nobel, and I’d be happy if only I were young again, writing my first book.

Stephen Parrish is the editor of The Lascaux Review.