Resignation, Number One
WHEN I WAS YOUNGER,
I DREAMT OF WRITING LIKE CAMUS.
THINKING LIKE SARTRE,
LIVING LIKE HEMINGWAY,
AND ALL IN GOD'S CONSTANT GRACE.
I THOUGHT I SUFFERED INDIA'S HUNGER
AND AMERICA'S AFFLUENCE,
BUT ACTUALLY,
I WAS CAREFREE--AND CARELESS.
NOW, THOUGH STILL A YOUNG MAN
(31 is an odd age, but safe)
I WANT LESS, MUCH LESS--
FAME, FORTUNE, KNOWLEDGE, PASSION,
EVEN HOPE...
IF THE WORLD IS INDEED DOOMED,
I WILL LOVE IT TILL ITS LAST DAY--
AND IF THE WORLD IS GOD BLESSED,
I WILL STILL LOVE IT TILL ITS LAST DAY.
IF I CANNOT CREATE LIKE A GIANT, THEN
I WILL WRITE WITH A SMALLER HAND
AND UTTER NOISES IN A LOWER TONE.
(This poem was written in the late 1970's)
Post Comments
Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.
Please
Login
to post a comment
Turn off ads, get more exposure for your poetry, and get more features with a
Premium Membership.
