Monday, March 21, 2016

Poem of the Day: “identity” by Shimon Palmer

Songs of Eretz Poetry Review is pleased to present “identity” by Shimon Palmer.  A native of Michigan, Mr. Palmer lives with his wife and three children on his own small eco farm in the Judean desert.

identity
Shimon Palmer

must i always
bear the cumbersome
weight of this identity
i’ve earned-

clamps seal
the valves as the brutal
black spear of the unknown
inches towards my vulnerable
engorged heart

and laughter
echos from some
deep chamber inside where
the real me is absent
still, after all.

Poet's Notes:  Identity is a complex matter.  It gives us, on the one hand, a comforting sense of belonging.  On the other hand, an identity can also be severely limiting, and sometimes is nothing but a hollow shell.  This poem deals with the moment where one's identity, and all the conceptions we hold about ourselves, seems to be suddenly empty and completely meaningless.  At that moment, "the real me," an essence beyond the limitations of identity, is felt.

Editor’s Note:  This is an interesting, modern take on the sonnet form with a fresh, thought provoking heart conceit.

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