Summary of the poem “You can’t be that” by Brian Patten

Brian Patten writings are mainly on human relationships. In this poem he talks about the boundless dreams and aspirations of a child being opposed by experienced and concerned parents.

 The message from the poem is, that people in order to become something, like doctor or engineers, are forgetting basic qualities and responsibilities required to upkeep good human relationships. People are in a hurry to achieve their goals and show least concern for their kith and kin.

Parents want their children to work in a profession in which they have a good chance of succeeding financially like engineering, medicine, business, and law..but young people  might be more interested in a lower paying career that matches their interests or that provides spiritual, emotional, psychological, or social rewards, rather than monetary ones.

1.      I told them……. I’m going to be a tree.

 The child says that he does not wish to become a scientist or a newsreader as they far from reality. He wants to be a tree where he can enjoy with the birds by giving them a place to rest and build their nest.

2.      They said You can’t…. that.

This is the response from the parents who disagree with the child’s career choice.

3.      I told them… I’ m going to be an ocean

The child does not want a job of a pilot dancer lawyer or an MC as they are not a part of their audience. Hence narrator wants to be an ocean where he can play and enjoy with the whales and be one with them.

4.      I told them…. I’m going to be a range of mountains

Narrator does not wish to become a DJ, computer programmer, a musician or a beautician as they are always busy with their instruments. He chooses to become a range of mountains where lively streams will flow and dangerous birds like eagles can build their homes. It will have beautiful valley and fountains.

5.      I asked them …. Walks a magician

The narrator is angry with his parents. But parents stand firm on their choice of career for their child.

The narrator concludes by saying that he is a magician and will make his dreams come true. He has the magical powers to become a resting place for animals or be an open space where unicorns (mythological creature) still play.