Preview
Identifier
MSS114_B01F04_013
Creation Date
4-2-1895
Keywords
Paul Laurence Dunbar, primary sources, Black history, Black poets, prominent Ohioans
Description
Date is approximate; poem may have accompanied the letter from Maud Clark dated April 2, 1895.
(page 1)
It does not matter
It does not matter very much to me
Tho’ what strange ways my pathway now may lead;
Since I know that it runs away from thee
I give it little heed
It does not matter if in calm or strife
Shall ebb and flow for me tho future tide
I had but one great longing in my life
And that has been denied
It does not matter if I stand or fall
Or walk with kings or with rank or file
Lifes loftiest aims and best ambition, all
Were centred in thy smile
—
This is the poem I had sent to one which I spoke of the next verse fits in my case so I send it
(page 2)
It does not matter what the world may say
I feel no interest in its blame or praise
I only know we dwell apart today
And shall this endless day
—
It does not matter to my (illegible) heart
Is numb to sorrow or to pleasure touch
Since it must be that we two drift apart
Why, nothing matters much;
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Primary Item Type
Personal Correspondence
Second Item Type
literary
Rights
This item is part of the Paul Laurence Dunbar House collection at Ohio History Connection, Columbus, Ohio. The collection contains items from 219 N. Summit St., Dayton, Ohio (later 219 N. Paul Laurence Dunbar St.), the home Dunbar purchased for his mother, Matilda J. Dunbar, in 1904. Paul Laurence Dunbar lived there until his death in 1906; Matilda lived there until her death in 1934. It is now the Paul Laurence Dunbar House Historic Site, part of the National Park Service.
Keywords
Paul Laurence Dunbar, primary sources, Black history, Black poets, prominent Ohioans
