there will be other mes
with worries as large as the ripe fruit
of tropical trees
there will be other mes
with joys as small as violets
and little white star flowers
there will be other mes
and i will not know their sorrows
though i may be their cause
there will be other mes
with backpacks and pencils
with eyes and hands
without knowledge of the universe
with some hope
with some luck
without faith
with some love but not enough
there will be other mes
who aspire to righteousness
for righteousness’ sake
ridiculous hapless stupid
ingenious lucky grand
there will be other mes
there will be other mes
there will be other mes
this is not a prayer
(written a little after 9/11/01)