If

If freckles were lovely, and day was night, 

And measles were nice and a lie warn't a lie, 

            Life would be delight,-- 

            But things couldn't go right 

            For in such a sad plight 

I wouldn't be I.

If earth was heaven and now was hence, 

And past was present, and false was true, 

            There might be some sense 

            But I'd be in suspense 

            For on such a pretense 

You wouldn't be you.

If fear was plucky, and globes were square, 

And dirt was cleanly and tears were glee 

            Things would seem fair,-- 

            Yet they'd all despair, 

            For if here was there 

We wouldn't be we.

-E. E. Cummings