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Wilfred Yeats
Member Elite
since 2000-08-04
Posts 2704
Wilmington, Delaware

0 posted 2001-01-02 12:49 PM



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 ~


© Copyright 2001 Wilfred Yeats - All Rights Reserved
HopeS
Member Elite
since 2000-12-22
Posts 4596
Perth Western Australia
1 posted 2001-01-02 01:15 PM


Ahhh yes Bill
Its like never judge
A book by its cover
There is lots more inside
We learn and discover
Hope

inot2B
Member Elite
since 2000-09-18
Posts 2205
Arkansas
2 posted 2001-01-02 01:18 PM


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.
brian madden
Member Elite
since 2000-05-06
Posts 4374
ireland
3 posted 2001-01-02 01:24 PM


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

Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354
Listening to every heart
4 posted 2001-01-02 01:25 PM


A superb question from a wondering quill...and you never fail to fail me Sir!  Well done!
Seymour Tabin
Member Empyrean
since 1999-07-07
Posts 31720
Tamarac Fla
5 posted 2001-01-02 01:30 PM


Wilfred,
A very introspective read but I enjoyed it.

nakdthoughts
Member Laureate
since 2000-10-29
Posts 19200
Between the Lines
6 posted 2001-01-02 01:33 PM


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



Wilfred Yeats
Member Elite
since 2000-08-04
Posts 2704
Wilmington, Delaware
7 posted 2001-01-03 10:56 AM


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 -   Thanks

Wynter-
isn't is amazing?   I'm glad you read as I wrote

Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049
California
8 posted 2001-01-03 01:58 PM


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!
Gemini
Senior Member
since 1999-12-15
Posts 1203
Wisconsin, USA
9 posted 2001-01-03 02:21 PM


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.
Charisma
Deputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Ascendant
since 2000-09-30
Posts 5906
lost in blue pages
10 posted 2001-01-03 02:54 PM


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

EagleOne
Member Elite
since 2000-03-07
Posts 2829
Between a laugh and a tear...
11 posted 2001-01-03 03:02 PM


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.



Wilfred Yeats
Member Elite
since 2000-08-04
Posts 2704
Wilmington, Delaware
12 posted 2001-01-03 10:51 PM


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
Paula Finn
Member Ascendant
since 2000-06-17
Posts 5546
missouri
13 posted 2001-01-04 12:57 PM


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
Wilfred Yeats
Member Elite
since 2000-08-04
Posts 2704
Wilmington, Delaware
14 posted 2001-01-04 11:56 AM


Paula -
Daily introspection - an interesting idea - taking a longer view - was my point - but I like yours - Thank you

vandana
Deputy Moderator 5 Tours
Member Patricius
since 1999-10-22
Posts 10463
USA
15 posted 2001-01-04 12:52 PM


enjoy the read
vandana
Deputy Moderator 5 Tours
Member Patricius
since 1999-10-22
Posts 10463
USA
16 posted 2001-01-04 12:56 PM


enjoy the read
Wilfred Yeats
Member Elite
since 2000-08-04
Posts 2704
Wilmington, Delaware
17 posted 2001-01-05 01:47 PM


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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