Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, NOT TOO UNIMPORTANT, by BERTON BRALEY


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

NOT TOO UNIMPORTANT, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: You may matter quite a lot or not a bit
Last Line: But—I'd like to have 'em miss me when I go.
Subject(s): Absence; Separation; Isolation


You may matter quite a lot or not a bit,
You may rank among the great or with the small,
But this fact is undeniable, to wit,
That you are not indispensable at all.
When you've left it, life will somehow amble on
In the busy, ever changing world of men,
They will get along without you when you're gone,
But—it's good to think they'll miss you, now and then.

So, I'd rather be a comrade than a foe,
And I'd rather be good-humored than a crab,
And I'd rather give a handshake than a blow,
And I'd rather earn my living than to grab.
For I'd like to think that anyhow a few
Will be sorry when my summons comes to quit;
They will get along without me when I'm through
But I'd like to have 'em miss me—just a bit.

No, they needn't talk about my "Vacant Chair"
But at parties where I often used to be,
I should like to have 'em wishing I were there,
I should like to have 'em talk a bit of me
As a chap who wasn't bad to have around,
As a fellow that was rather nice to know;
They will get along when I am underground
But—I'd like to have 'em miss me when I go.





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