Fame, Dickinson, Porter

A reader writes:

Emily Dickinson's poem may or may not have been read by Cole Porter, but he, who would know something of the topic, chose the same theme for the very last song he ever wrote:

Wouldn't it be fun not to be famous,
Wouldn't it be fun not to be rich!
Wouldn't it be pleasant
To be a simple peasant
And spend a happy day digging a ditch!
Wouldn't it be fun not to be known as an important V.I.P.,
Wouldn't it be fun
To be nearly anyone
Except me, mighty me!

Wouldn't it be fun not to be wealthy,
Wouldn't it be fun not to be great!
How I'd love dearly
To be a beggar merely
And not be bored to death living in state!
Wouldn't it be fun not to have always deadly diplomats for tea,
Wouldn't it be fun
To be nearly anyone
Except me, mixed-up me!

Man, how I know how he feels. There are days when I am almost as sick of myself as some of my emailers.