The I Poem by Joseph Martin III

It is the I not the you
It is only the me not the we

obsessed with receiving
arrogant in its complacency

speaking easy platitudes
selfishness masked as confidence
fear masked as unconcern
cruelty masked as wisdom

keen sight that is blind
imprisoned in freedom

it wants to be known
it wants to be understood
it will do as it wants

like a once deep great river
now dammed and held back
its small shallow trickles
ache in vain to reach the green sea.


9/7/2002, rev 3/2005