FAMOUS

The river is famous to the fish.

The loud voice is famous to silence,
which knew it would inherit the earth
before anybody said so.

The cat sleeping on the fence is famous to the birds
watching him from the birdhouse.

The tear is famous, briefly, to the cheek.

The idea you carry close to your bosom
is famous to your bosom.

The boot is famous to the earth,
more famous than the dress shoe,
which is famous only to floors.

The bent photograph is famous to the one who carries it
and not at all famous to the one who is pictured.

I want to be famous to shuffling men
who smile while crossing the streets,
sticky children in grocery lines,
famous as the one who smiled back.

I want to be famous in the way a pulley is famous,
or a buttonhole, not because it did anything spectacular,
but because it never forgot what it could do.


I think most people desire to do or be something significant in the short time that they grace the paths of the earth. We are surrounded by ‘famous’ people, actors, politicians, musicians, celebrities, of all kinds colour our world. The great men and women of our history on earth offer inspiration and a great ideal - to leave some kind of influence on the earth and its people. And some of us will be great and famous but the majority of us will not, yet I am convinced that we are famous within our spheres. We have impact on the people and events around us. You are famous. Famous to all the people in your life, they all know you and if you live to your full potential it will be recognized in every respect. Perhaps you are famous for traits that are less desirable, after all serial killers are famous too. Whatever your situation, fame is a variable concept, not to be taken too seriously, but rather to toss it in the air and play with it.