History

History is an unforgiving beast,
claiming the identities of all.
Stealing away those who have lived
and locking them in her vault.

For when a man dies - as surely man does -
it becomes only a matter of time
and numerous generations past
before not a soul knows them true.

A name surely lives on,
feats and deeds, too.
But who they truly were?
Not anyone can say.

Fret not about your life, then,
lest you be remembered as a 'fretter'.
For in time all men die,
whisked away by History.