A card
with details, a photo
that's what I show
when I'm asked to prove
who I am.
But,
I am, therefore I think
it's insufficient evidence
of me.
That card proves I'm not homeless,
I exist in time and space
it clearly discloses
But not how or why I live.
(Or that I lied about my weight.)
It shows a picture of a lady,
her smile plastic on plastic,
flat, distorted dimensions
of who she really is.
(For Poets United where we're asked to write about "identity".
I smiled all the way through this......wonderful! Love the sketch too. I especially like "it's insufficient evidence of me."
ReplyDeleteYes, those identity cards show VERY little of who the PERSON is behind those simple details. What a meaningless summing up of life, when you come to think of it!
ReplyDeleteThe official ID of who we are? But, I wonder who we really are? As, we are all unique. I don't think a plastic smile on a plastic card gives us the full picture.
ReplyDeleteI don't think you would be the only one lied about weight. That made me smile.
I am so many people. On different days, in different company, in different moods. Any card is most definitely insufficient (and inaccurate) evidence of me.
ReplyDeleteNeatly done and so true! It tells as much about us as a bar code tells about a food item. Maybe a little more.
ReplyDeleteyes one form of identification and not the true identity...love your last stanza...
ReplyDeleteI am..therefore I think!!! Nicely done!
ReplyDeletei enjoyed reading it.True, that card says who or what we are.
ReplyDeleteHow very true - and i love how you have captured the thought almost like we were there with you standing in a queue holding the card and thinking about what it means (the lie about the weight made me smile - don't we all) - wonderful illustration also..
ReplyDeleteA wise observation Myrna indeed identification cards can not prove who we truly are. Beautifully executed :D
ReplyDeleteLots of love,
Sanaa
"Who are you?"
ReplyDelete"Here's my driver's license. It tells you all you need to know."
(Wouldn't that be an interesting, or disturbing, exchange?)
I like your reference to Descartes 'cogito ergo sum'. Lying about your weight gave me a giggle too!
ReplyDeleteI like the part where you lied about your weight ;-)
ReplyDeleteLovely.
Good one, Myrna. I immediately thought of false IDs, identity theft and the way that our society likes to pigeon hole us using little bits of plastic with some empty data on them...
ReplyDelete