All the People Who Have Ever Lived
Over 100 billion people have lived on Earth,
and nine in ten of them are no longer alive,
which means every morning we’re treading
on their remains, almost all their graves
unmarked, their names
forgotten. Even the dead
privileged enough to have granite obelisks
launching out of their tombs—
even they’ve been
sponged from the memories
of those who ages ago knew
what they liked for breakfast.
Before too long, you and I will join
that anonymous host of billions.
But perhaps merely to have lived on this planet
where sunsets flare under rainclouds
is an honor
we should accept
as if a VIP were pinning a medal on us,
warmly pressing our hand,
and thanking us
for our many years of dedicated service.