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Being Known
by Tracy EllenEveryone hopes youll know their name
Afraid of that beast, obscurity
Repulsed by sameness, assuredly
Its careless to die unknown and blameless
A gross lack of purpose and pride
No, its not enough to have tried
Better to be a villain than nameless.
The prize of your name on a million tongues
Has driven ambition, and from man wrung
Books and wars and murders and cures
Wisdom and songs, diamonds and furs
Bombs and cars and porno stars
People who are willing to go too far.
The gates of Valhalla, God in heaven
Past lives and future, the number 7
All wait to rescue men from their fate
Make them believe it can never be too late
Oh despair, the horror to die knowing
That no great majority cares that youre going
Or who you were or what you did
Even if, of you, theyre glad to be rid
And so the worst of man is also his greatness
His claim to fame: the import of name.
05/02/2008 Posted on 05/02/2008
Copyright © 2024 Tracy Ellen
| Member Comments on this Poem |
| Posted by George Hoerner on 05/02/08 at 08:58 PM We look too far into the future. Ten minutes after we die our name will be lost to half those we think we know today. Your legacy rests not in those you've known by name but by those you've touched without knowing a name or being known. Nice write! |
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