Immortality

When I was grass, perhaps I may have wept As every year the grass blades paled and slept Or shrieked in anguish impotent beneath The smooth impartial cropping of great teeth-- I don’t remember much what came to pass When I was grass.

When I was monkey, I’m afraid the trees Weren’t always havens of contented ease; Things killed us and we never could tell why; No doubt we blamed the earth or sea or sky-- I have forgotten my rebellion’s shape When I was ape.

Now I have reached the comfortable skin This stage of living is enveloped in, And hold the spirit of my mighty race Self-conscious prisoner under one white face-- I’m awfully afraid I’m going to die, Now I am I.

* * * * *

When I was man, no doubt I used to care About the little things that happened there, And fret to see the years keep going by, And nations, families and persons die, I didn’t much appreciate life’s plan When I was man.

Charlotte Perkins Gilman.