Remember Me-- Your History Poem by Joe Fraccalvieri

Don't try to sweep me under the rug
or erase my face from this place--
Don't take me away from being here
to disappear without a trace--

Don't treat me as though I'm a thug…
That I'm not part of the human race
who would dread to shed even a tear--
a droplet of rain, in Time and Space

And don't you dare use me
like I'm some sort of drug you can lace
that would make you forget all your fear
while you bask in the glow of God's grace

It won't do the world any good--
though you think that maybe it could--
to put my feet to the fire
or keep me steeped deep in mire
Don't make me sleep past desire's embrace

So don't throw me into those flames…
Nor shove me in the shadows they cast

I'm not the first… And I won't be the last
I'm not the worst, but I won't be outclassed…
I'm not the slowest, though I'm not very fast

You see… I look to the future
from what I know of the past
And I can tell you these things
because, while my knowledge is scant,
my wisdom is vast

And I know enough to know--
that even this will not last

I've been with you forever…
I was at your first dance--
when you did whatsoever--
each experience-- every romance
I was there through every endeavor--
giving your living a chance

Look over your shoulder…
It's me you just passed
I'll be here when you're older
And I'll be there to the last…

I'm the Eye of the Beholder… The Sisyphus boulder
The wind in the sails of the ship's mighty mast…
The good earth shall smolder
and before Creation grows colder--
I'm the one who will give the Trumpet of Judgment
one final, fateful, ominous blast