The Most Important Thing in the World
The Most Important Thing in the World
The most important thing in the world
isn’t a viscous black ocean
or a million dead children.
The most important thing in the world
isn’t the world’s biggest con game
and its three billion marks
The most important thing in the world
isn’t four goals to one
but you knew that already
Or a country of ruined buildings
broken limbs after six months of rot
Or anything else you might have had
on your mind the last time you decided
to feel something between commercials
Everyone knows
The most important thing in the world
Is a shopkeeper’s window.
— Nick Mamatas
Author’s notes:
Originally written for the G20 protests in Toronto, Canada in 2010, I’ve been asked many times for the text over the years, so I am putting it here for easy linking.
Feel free to read it aloud at open mics and protests, and republish it non-commercially on blogs, leaflets, or zines.
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