Jonathan Berger's Poetry: Poem of the Day
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When I wished I wasn't born
and that little putz Clarence came along to show just what would be up…
I saw things I never dreamed
dreamt things I'd never seen
gone to places I'd never been.
It was astonishing…

The future passed on by
and I saw
a day without me.
A week without me.
A life without me.
It was strange and wonderful
and done in the twinkle of an eye.
It was astonishing…

A world when I was never born
my clothes never worn
my mother's hymen never torn
(and that's an image I'll always mourn).
I saw a life I lacked
a globe where I was a ghost.
I saw an existence from which I was extricated
and I'm here to tell you, it was no pretty picture.

Though to you, it would seem no different.
For the clouds were the same.
The skies as blue.
The oceans as thunderous
The people as proud, as poor, as puerile and potent.
It was astonishing…

A world without me was indistinguishable from my own lost
lonely, long-lambasted, lengthy life.
A world without me was as sweet, as supple, as strong and smart and as sad
as the one I stride.

There must be a mistake, Clarence said, but there was none.
My existence proved meaningless, empty, unmourned…
The world without me was unfortunately identical.
but, at least, I knew, I could end it with a clear conscience.
No one would even know I was gone
from their astonishing life.