We are rarely who we are seen to be. Why? Because the human being is complex. I believe we are a trifold being. That is to say we are composed of physical, mental, and spiritual components. We are seen in the physical by all who approach us, but behind our facade there resides the greater part of who we are, the mental and spiritual part of our being. Our teaching, parenting, religious teaching, education, and experience all keep the unrestricted child in check. I believe for those who have opted to address the spiritual aspect of being, the presence of God adds yet another dimension. Many things can affect our ability to control the utterly selfish part of our make-up, stress, drugs, and other people for example. But, we are who we choose to be. We really can't blame anyone for our plight. I tried to capture this philosophy in the following poem.
MR. ME AND MR. WHO
A rivulet of water ran down my mirror,
splitting my image in two.
I thought I could see them both in that scene,
Mr. Me, and Mr. Who.
Mr. Me, is on the outside,
he’s always looking in.
Mr. Who is on the inside
looking out at his old friend.
Mr. Me is aging,
he thinks of getting old.
Mr. Who is just a boy,
his age is still on hold.
Mr. Me is what you see
when you look my way.
Mr. Who is what I think,
sometimes what I say.
Mr. Me, and Mr. Who
have been there from the start.
One looking in, the other out,
they’ll never live apart.
If you see me on the street
and, if I should see you,
you’ll shake hands with Mr. Me,
but be seen by Mr. Who.
