The Essence Of Me? Poem by Stanley Cooper

I wonder if the essence of me
Can be perceived introspectively
Or must it come from an outside source
Whose thoughts of me, I might not endorse?

Am I loving, caring and truly opposed
To anything less, I’d consider too gross?
Or dispassionate, unfeeling, really a cad
Who sadly turns people hopping-ly mad?

Am I the wise old owl who knows all the truth
Or a foolish bumpkin who’s somewhat uncouth?
Of their conclusions, will I fully agree
Or claim their findings are really not me?