I Want to Be Like People

by John Herlihy

I want to be like people Who know what day is like.

I want to be like people Who know what night is like.

Around people who know life’s mystery offers more.

Not around people who care for themselves, nothing more.

Some people take the full measure of the day,

Some people take the full measure of the night.

I want to be like people who always give things their full measure.

I want to be like people who always value things as a treasure.

So many people go through life without giving a care,

So many people go through life who don't see, only stare.

Do I want to be around people and all they do is complain?

Do I want to be around people who see everything the same?

I guess I know the kind of people that I want to be around,

I want to be around the kind of people who see life as profound.

I prefer to be with strangers if I can't rely upon my friends,

I wish to rely on faithful people who live their life with noble ends.

The world is big enough to include all those faithful,

The world is small enough to include all those ungrateful.

I would live in another world that brings me closer to reality,

Rather than this world that brings me closer to a false reality.

I know that the day is long and that the night is short,

I know that the minutes are swift and that the hour is near.

I prefer not to live among those who think to live forever,

I prefer to live among those who know they may die tomorrow.

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Copyright © John Herlihy

Thursday 20 November 2025