POSSESSING ME

THOU SHALT POSSESS ALL THINGS,
BUT THY LIFE IS MINE,
FOR GOD HAS SO WILLED IT.
WISH,
AND THY WISHES SHALL BE FULFILLED;
BUT MEASURE THY DESIRES,
ACCORDING TO THE LIFE
THAT IS IN THEE.
THIS IS THY LIFE,
WITH EACH WISH I MUST SHRINK
EVEN AS THY OWN DAYS.
WILT THOU HAVE ME? TAKE ME.
GOD WILL HEARKEN UNTO THEE.
SO BE IT!

- Honoré de Balzac (La Peau de chagrin)