David Ignatow (February 7, 1914—November 17, 1997 / Brooklyn/ New York)

What do you think this poem is about?

I Close My Eyes

I close my eyes like a good little boy at night in bed,
as I was told to do by my mother when she lived,
and before bed I brush my teeth and slip on my pajamas,
as I was told, and look forward to tomorrow.


I do all things required of me to make me a citizen of sterling worth.
I keep a job and come home each evening for dinner. I arrive at the
same time on the same train to give my family a sense of order.


I obey traffic signals. I am cordial to strangers, I answer my
mail promptly. I keep a balanced checking account. Why can’t I
live forever?

David Ignatow
Submitted: Monday, April 19, 2010
Edited: Friday, July 29, 2011


Comments about this poem (I Close My Eyes by David Ignatow )

Enter the verification code :

  • Elaine Severin (3/29/2012 5:14:00 PM)

    You did everything right. Why can't you live forever?

    0 person liked.
    0 person did not like.
Read all 1 comments »

PoemHunter.com Updates

Top 500 Poems

  1. Phenomenal Woman
    Maya Angelou
  2. Still I Rise
    Maya Angelou
  3. The Road Not Taken
    Robert Frost
  4. If You Forget Me
    Pablo Neruda
  5. Dreams
    Langston Hughes
  6. Annabel Lee
    Edgar Allan Poe
  7. If
    Rudyard Kipling
  8. I Do Not Love You Except Because I Love You
    Pablo Neruda
  9. I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings
    Maya Angelou
  10. A Dream Within A Dream
    Edgar Allan Poe
[Hata Bildir]