Identity
•
I came upon a stranger
she asked me
“who are you?â€
I pondered
then replied
I am son
born
to a mother unknown
a father
unseen
I am father
three times blessed
with life’s miracle
I am joy
having beheld
each child’s coming
I am betrothed
touched by
a lover’s heart
I am sorrow
having lost
my eldest son
I am wonder
marveling
at the gift of life
the beauty
of this natural realm
I am song
fortuned with
a lyric voice
I am art
bestowed with
a balanced eye
I am athlete
fleet of foot
strong of frame
I am word
burdened with
a poet’s plight
I am gratitude
to have known
this life at all
I am a simple man
who stands this day
before you
in the end
I am you
and
you are me
we are one another
most uncertain
quite who we are
• • •
rob kistner © 2007