To have or To be
To have something in this world gives me a name
But when this something no more I am then unknown
And I realized to be is different and this is everything
To be “I am” less known but God he is my back bone
To have title in the community made me great
But when this title is taken away I am nobody
Then I reflected to be is noble
and this is more than a crown
To be me no possession but in God I am enthroned
To have power and gold elevate me with high fame
But when these things gone
so little like an ant crawling in the sand
So I woke up one morning live in reality of who I am
To have or to be
To be me bare and bold but in God’s eyes I am a worthy man
The dilemma in me- the who I am and what I have
Two different images the inside and the outside of me
Identities based on possession is very dangerous
Rather than selflessness and humble I am in bliss
Note:
Published by the Gethsemane Parish Bulletin,
Casuntingan, Mandaque City, Phil.5 Oct.2003
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem