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.