I wish I was great, 

But I'm not,

I'm not memorable or noteworthy,

Or important or prominant,

I move agily, silently from day to day,

Keeping the waters calm and even,

Building routines and breaking faith,

I wish I was great, 

Have my name recognized, 

By first, last, or shorthand, 

My work considered art, 

My words parelled with philosophy itself, 

My thoughts often in the thoughts of others, 

To be truly great- 

To only die once,

I am no Shakespeare-

Nor Plath, or Frost, 

Or Dickens, or Fitzgerald, 

But have I no thoughts?

No profound words, capable

Of redifining, reassembling the truth?

I wish I was great,

I wish I could break barriers, and tear

The truth from sheltered arms 

Only to force it in the eyes of the public,

In a form that causes the same public

To question why

They never acknowledged these truths prior,

I want to take my even hands, 

And write until they shake uncontrollably,

To take my even life, 

And send not ripples, 

But crashing waves over it,

I don't want a reason to fear death,

I want promise,

Promise to be remembered,

To die not twice, but once. 

To be great.