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Open Poetry #11
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Who Am I
| Open Poetry #11 |
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Who Am I |
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Wilfred Yeats Member Elite
since 2000-08-04
Posts 2704Wilmington, Delaware 
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Have you ever asked the question? In the mirror or without Has an incident occurred sometime? That made you question How you responded Reacted We go through life Learn from teachers Learn from parents Examples of those we admire Shape ourselves To the mold we see Drop associations We find destructive Nurture others At some point We feel we've 'got it together' Think we know who we are Say to ourselves "I'd do this." Or "I wouldn't do that." And like I said earlier Something happens To shake our tree The roots we thought so deep And when the dust settles The mirror reflects back Someone unknown Looking back I think of how very many times I've changed For the better I hope Things I thought 'black and white' Turned out to have shades of gray Think of that old Indian saying "Don't judge, until you've walked A mile in his moccasins" Suppose you were brought up In a strict Christian home Religious schooling VBS and with Sunday services I could go on for pages With examples Of how I condemned less each year But 'toed the mark' myself Pages more when Close friends broke rules I'd formed for myself And I found myself saying "I understand" And I did. Much of this happens So gradually It goes by Almost imperceptible Until someone from our past Unchanged as I was By good people I've known Comes along Voicing intolerant statements I remember But no longer feel I look in the mirror And wonder "Who am I?" I'm older I hope wiser My faith remains strong I see my God with a balance scale I see few absolutes I pray I'm right I see no arks being built No recent Sodom Or Gamorrahs I think often Of the native lady Poor as a church mouse Selling wares by the roadside When I was a very young tourist For some reason I'd asked her If she'd ever questioned God For making her lot in life so tough As she saw so many 'rich' tourists Her reply was simple: "Oh no, My God is a God of love." I still see changes in The man in the mirror But I smile And never once feel Like the Pharisee Who felt superior in prayer And I know I'm still growing yet I may never know Who am I Great souls have wills; feeble ones have only wishes. ~ Chinese Proverb ~ |
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| © Copyright 2001 Wilfred Yeats - All Rights Reserved | |||
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HopeS Member Elite
since 2000-12-22
Posts 4596Perth Western Australia |
Ahhh yes Bill Its like never judge A book by its cover There is lots more inside We learn and discover Hope |
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inot2B Member Elite
since 2000-09-18
Posts 2205Arkansas |
I like what you wrote. I still don't know "Who Am I", but I'm happy with where I'm at in this stage of my life. Tomorrow it may change, but for today I thank God for my lot in life. Thank you for this thought provoking piece. |
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brian madden Member Elite
since 2000-05-06
Posts 4374ireland |
A question I am constantly asking myself and there is never one concrete answer. A well written poem enjoyed the read, especially loved the verse Shape ourselves To the mold we see Drop associations We find destructive Nurture others It's in your eyes a fire that's wild and glorious Unhibited, unfinished in everything I do Let the morning rise like our hearts desire" whipping boy |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
A superb question from a wondering quill...and you never fail to fail me Sir! Well done! |
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Seymour Tabin Member Empyrean
since 1999-07-07
Posts 31720Tamarac Fla |
Wilfred, A very introspective read but I enjoyed it. |
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nakdthoughts Member Laureate
since 2000-10-29
Posts 19200Between the Lines |
And when the dust settles The mirror reflects back Someone unknown wonderful Bill..yes I look into that mirror every day..and still wonder who and what I have become...*s nice and thoughtful on this brisk morning..I hope all is well with you huggzz ~Wynter "The worst prison would be a closed heart". ...Pope John Paul II |
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Wilfred Yeats Member Elite
since 2000-08-04
Posts 2704Wilmington, Delaware |
Hope- You must know I love replies that rhyme  Thank you inot2B- I'm always happy when I make people think - as you know there are many questions - but very few answers Thank you Brian- (smiling here) Thank you Karilea- I "never "fail to fail" ? woo hoo - strong words! (grinning here) Thanks KMJ Seymour- I've got to get off this introspective kick - ThanksWynter- isn't is amazing? I'm glad you read as I wrote |
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Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049California |
Bill--always growing, always changing...it is a part of life, and a good part, I think...keep it up...enjoyed this look into your thoughts! |
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Gemini Senior Member
since 1999-12-15
Posts 1203Wisconsin, USA |
Bill-Thank you for shaking my "tree". I did need to be reminded of how often there is change in others and myself, how far I've come, yet how far I have to go. Your words have great meaning. |
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Charisma
since 2000-09-30
Posts 5906lost in blue pages |
many times I have asked myself the same question.....wishing that I could give myself a clear answer....or maybe I haven't look deep enough inside....to scary maybe excellent penned as always ((hugs)) Charisma |
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EagleOne Member Elite
since 2000-03-07
Posts 2829Between a laugh and a tear... |
A question asked of myself many times, who knows maybe one day there will be an answer. Well done as always! "The heart and soul have no illusion of boundries when friendship is the quest" ~ My Angel. |
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Wilfred Yeats Member Elite
since 2000-08-04
Posts 2704Wilmington, Delaware |
my thanks again - to you all - I don't know that there are answers - nor that we ever 'know' who we are - but I'm soo glad we all grow and ask the questions |
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Paula Finn Member Ascendant
since 2000-06-17
Posts 5546missouri |
Everyday we learn...and by learning we change...and if we pay attention then by changing we grow...I like seeing a new me everyday...keeps everything fresh and new...great write sir |
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Wilfred Yeats Member Elite
since 2000-08-04
Posts 2704Wilmington, Delaware |
Paula - Daily introspection - an interesting idea - taking a longer view - was my point - but I like yours - Thank you |
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vandana
since 1999-10-22
Posts 10463USA |
enjoy the read |
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vandana
since 1999-10-22
Posts 10463USA |
enjoy the read |
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Wilfred Yeats Member Elite
since 2000-08-04
Posts 2704Wilmington, Delaware |
Vandana - I wish I'd known of Serenity's challenge when I wrote this - Perhaps I could have formatted it to fit the challenge Thank you~S~ |
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