Three Persons In One Poem by john tiong chunghoo

there is a crowd in us each trying
to get each other heard
one does that in all silence
that his wish is to be left all
on his own without being disturbed

how many persons are there in each human?
at least three and two are zealous guards
of their own territory and heavens
they can play devil or angel to each other
wrestling all the weapons around them

there is a face to save and a stomach to feed
so each can go on with his chore
to keep everything going
this human alive and well with some dignity

when the head and the heart fight, they are like
devil; you cannot get any of them to give in
each wants to make sure his entity is respected
that he is what he is; compromise yes, giving in, no

the third person may as well be left all alone
you cannot even negotiate with him; he goes on and on
on its own whether you are awake, asleep or even dead
he is the receptacle of your whole being,
as well as the usual painful bystander
who takes everything that blows up our top,
hatred, injustice, setbacks...in his stride

he is the one the other two desperately
try to stand up for again and again