101 Poems, Number 21

Favorite Poems Throughout My Life

21: “It’s Sweet to Be Remembered,” 2007, by Charles Wright (1935–)

So who remembers any rock?

(Perhaps it’s time that we should talk?)

For most of us? Our name will go

When we have gone—and not too slow!*

How brief it is, our earthly fame.

As evanescent as a flame.

If we’re a rock, says poet Wright,

Some kid might launch us into flight.

The best to hope for? (Hope we’ve got!)

Some very pleasant woodland spot.

*I know—should be slowly, but it doesn’t rhyme.

Link to poem.