codex002489-004r

Ella Wheeler Wilcox

What does it Matter? June 90.

Wealth and glory place and power,
What are they worth to me or you
For the lease of life runs out, in an hour.
And death stands ready to claim his due.
Sounding honors or heaps of gold
What are they all, when all is told?

A pain or a pleasure, a smile, or a tear
What does it matter what we claim
For we step from the cradle, into the bier,
And a careless world, goes on, the same.
Hours of gladness, or hours of sorrow
What does it matter to us tomorrow.

Truth of love, or vow of friend,
Tender caresses, or cruel sneers
What do they matter to me in the end
For the brief day dies, & the long night nears.
Passionate kisses, or tears of gall.
The grave will open, & cover them all.