Who Am I? Poem by Res John Burman

I’ve noticed
Over the years.
Whatever you wake up with,
Whatever state of health
Or mind.
Whatever advantages
You may have,
Whatever shortcomings.
These are the tools
Unequal though they be,
With which you
Must face the day.

Whatever day you wake up to
Fine or foul,
Hot or cold
Peace or war
Pain or gain
Challenge
Or tribulation.
Captivity or
Freedom.
This is YOUR day.

It’s how you handle it
That determines
Who you are.
Not whether you
Win or lose
But if you tried.
If you did the
Decent thing.
If you helped
Instead of hindered.
If you praised
Rather than cursed.
If you loved
Rather than hated.
Did your best
And not your worst!

If you have seen
Every member
Of your species
As Sister or Brother.
And Race as just
The icing on the cake
Little variations
That make Brother
And Sister
Interesting
To each other
Not different

Who am I?
I’m just one of the crowd.
Who am I?
I’m just one of US!

16th March 2008