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We Were Never 'I'

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We Were Never 'I'

Daniel Henry Rodgers

We are never truly alone; we are the sum of countless unseen lives. A place where the sacred and possibly the scientific plan in the cathedral of now. I invite you to the dance of microbes and stars where we will find the sacred rhythm of belonging orchestrated by our higher power. – Poet

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Within this sanctum of breath and bone— ten trillion anchorites mimic their devotions. Bacteria threading blood’s vermilion rivers braiding holy water into the cathedral of now. Their alchemy transmutes starlight into the wine of existence— decanted from Orion’s mythical vine. Viruses— those threshold wraiths between being and unbeing— inscribe new verses in the living gospel of our chromosomes. Fungi a cappella in mycelial tongues through marrow’s moaning chambers decomposing resurrection from each small death we die. We are not hosts— but cantatas still composing themselves in light. Each cell— a verse rehearsing resurrection. Hark: your pulse conducts this unseen choir where mortal breath becomes immortal song. And in this sacrosanct communion of kingdoms, we learn we were never “I”— but a constellation of prayers: timeless, boundless— Bacteria Viruses Fungi Me— becoming one.

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I Am Anaya

Date: 7/18/2025 11:03:00 PM

We are made of earthly chemistry and cosmology (cosmochemistry) and spiritual consciousness. It's good bacteria we need to survive indeed. Daniel this is intriguing research you thrill us with. Certain mushrooms have powerful healing benefits and fresh blue cheese has that bacteria we need to survive! Great idea's always from you sweet Dr. and poetryman. Hope you have a nice weekend! Blessings~ Anaya

Daniel Henry Rodgers
Date: 7/19/2025 9:15:00 AM

Desr Anaya, Thanks so much for your ever-thoughtful messagesnd it’s always a joy to hear how your mind stretches from the dirt and microbes all the way to the stars and spirit! You’re absolutely right: it’s wild how we’re stitched together from basic chemistry, cosmic dust, and something we can’t even see, touching every corner of the universe in our own little lives. (And yes, thank the good bacteria and a bit of funky blue cheese for sticking with us through thick and thin!). Summer Blessings, My Dear Anaya, Daniel

David Crandall

Date: 7/17/2025 2:49:00 PM

Daniel, it's hard not to imagine a conductor for this symphony of life - a nice tribute to its complexity and beauty. It's interesting to change the focus on the microscope to see so much going on at the atomic particle level, the chemical life, the level of viruses, DNA, and cells, and then organs, etc. Mind blowing. Among others, I love the first 3 lines of stanza 3.

Daniel Henry Rodgers
Date: 7/19/2025 9:13:00 AM

Hello David, thank you and I love the image of a conductor guiding this wild symphony of life, what a perfect way to capture all the hidden harmonies and layers happening inside and around us. It’s genuinely humbling how shifting the “microscope” from atoms to cells to organs reveals entire worlds pulsing with their own rhythms and possibility. That sense of wonder and awe at life’s complexity is exactly what I hoped to stir up. Summer Blessings, My Friend, Daniel

Duke Beaufort

Date: 7/17/2025 7:50:00 AM

Daniel, thanks for reminding us that we are not alone, but part of a vast and evolving system. It does help develop a sense of awe, wonder, and respect for the gift of life that we have. I do feel very fortunate to be able to experience the joy of living every day. You are part of it too for all of us....so a big thank-you and sending smiles!!

Daniel Henry Rodgers
Date: 7/19/2025 9:10:00 AM

Hello Duke, Thank you so much for your thoughtful comment it truly made me smile. I love the way you’ve captured exactly what I was hoping this poem might spark: that sense of awe, wonder, and deep respect for how beautifully tangled our lives are with all the tiny beings we share this planet with. It’s humbling, isn’t it, to remember we’re just one part of this wild, evolving web. Summer Blssings, My Friend, Daniel

Valsa George

Date: 7/15/2025 11:53:00 PM

It is strange that everything in the universe is interrelated and we are a composite form of bacteria, viruses and fungi. We are not an isolated entity, but a conglomeration of many -part of a universal consciousness. . Yet we are so unique, created with a purpose by the great Craftsman. So, as a man, one cannot stay independent, but as part of a collective entity. Dear Daniel, your thoughts never float superfluous, but ascend above the ground level, making your readers think and think. Your poems are a pleasure to read with their philosophic and intellectual content, powered by their lyrical beauty..

Daniel Henry Rodgers
Date: 7/16/2025 5:46:00 AM

Dear Valsa, you always fill my intellectual and emotional mind with such great thoughts and I am grateful for your friendship. Our great Lord has made all the connections and we are on a journey to discovery, together! Summer Blessings, Dearest Valsa, Daniel

Eileen Manassian

Date: 7/15/2025 9:31:00 PM

Loved that ending. You certainly had my mind spinning. I'd love for mortal breath to become immortal song. The Bible says God has placed eternity within our hearts. Never in a million years could I hope to come up with such a poem as yours... rich in analogy and imagery. The living gospel of our chromosomes. Wow

Daniel Henry Rodgers
Date: 7/16/2025 5:44:00 AM

Dear Eileen, isn’t it so amazing we have such a great Lord and Savior that has created us into his image. I love reading your poems because they are filled with heart and that makes all the difference in the world to me. Summer Blessings, My Dear Eileen, Daniel

Sara Etgen-Baker

Date: 7/15/2025 4:02:00 PM

A most engaging and thought-provoking poem, Daniel. From beginning to end, I was totally engaged. Love your poetic voice. After reading your poem, I felt a tremendous sense of gratitude. Blessings, Sara

Daniel Henry Rodgers
Date: 7/16/2025 5:41:00 AM

Dear Sara, how uplifting it was to read your comments today. I always give thanks to our Lord and Creator for making us so wonderfully made. Summer Blessings, My Dear Sara, Daniel

Mystic Rose Rose

Date: 7/15/2025 3:52:00 PM

We are not hosts— but cantatas still composing themselves in light. I can hear your lovely symphony from here, and oh what a splendid sound your words make, thank you for this and all of your kind words too !

Daniel Henry Rodgers
Date: 7/16/2025 5:39:00 AM

Dear Rose, you experienced the musician coming out in me. I have wanted to write this poem for awhile and think it is so great that our God made us so unique. Summer Blessings, Dear Rose, Daniel

Paige Hind

Date: 7/15/2025 3:47:00 PM

Woah, this has my mind spinning!! Love the metaphor of us all being prayers- wonderful work, Daniel !!

Daniel Henry Rodgers
Date: 7/16/2025 5:37:00 AM

Dear Paige, it is so wonderful to see your note this morning and it brings me great joy. Blessings, Dear Paige, Daniel

Kim Rodrigues

Date: 7/15/2025 12:22:00 PM

We are the sum of countless unseen lives…that is our past, what we present and hope for the future… I sigh as somehow your poem unites with the poetic thoughts I just wrote: “To Be a Good Grandma.” God is always at work. Thankful. Great write!

Daniel Henry Rodgers
Date: 7/16/2025 5:35:00 AM

Dear Kim, thank you and our God is an awesome God who figured out our lives well before the foundation of the earth was laid. Summer blessings, My Dear Kim, Daniel

David Kavanagh

Date: 7/15/2025 11:54:00 AM

Hard to believe isn’t it Daniel, all the ingredients that come together to build us life forms, but once the human mind lit up through abstract thought, we became a whole new entity altogether, I believe human consciousness is connected to the cosmos or a god, and vice versa, your poem treads that very thin line between science and religion, one that divides me right down the middle, super work! Cheers David

Daniel Henry Rodgers
Date: 7/16/2025 5:52:00 AM

Hello David, it is amazing that we might not have survived without the symbiosis of life for they are all interconnected. I believe there is enough evidence in the universe of life that points to a creator because randomness just not answer it for me. In other words the odds are too great for existence of life. I always like the intellectual challenges and to stimulate conversations. As my oldest daughter says, “Dad always asks the questions that others only think about but wanted to ask.” Summer Blessings, My Friend, Daniel

Brandy Nicole

Date: 7/14/2025 6:41:00 PM

Daniel, you're able to describe in such vivid detail, how everything came together to create the wonder that is you. Your thoughts are tender and deep. Many wonderful blessings to you, my dear sweet friend. :) Hugs, Brandy

Brandy Nicole
Date: 7/15/2025 6:13:00 PM

Daniel, you've left me breathless with your thoughts.

Daniel Henry Rodgers
Date: 7/15/2025 10:49:00 AM

Dear Brandy, Your message warmed my heart in ways I’m still feeling. Thank you for taking the time to let those words rise up from your heart and flow toward mine they landed gently, like a soft breeze on a summer evening. You have a graceful way of speaking directly to the soul, and it makes your kindness feel even more real and nourishing. Your sweetness, Brandy, it’s no small thing in this world. You embody openness and care in a way that makes the spaces around you, yes, even the digital ones feel like home. I feel so lucky to be counted among your friends… we’re all better for it. Summer Blessings, My Dear Brandy, Daniel

Bill Baker

Date: 7/14/2025 5:55:00 PM

Your ability, no, gift to combine science with life through poetry is amazing to me, Daniel. The knowledge you share with us in poetic form is appreciated by many. " I invite you to the dance of microbes and stars where we will find the sacred rhythm of belonging orchestrated by our higher power," a powerful intro to your work, my friend. Thanks for sharing your thoughts, supporting so many of us through your mindful and encouraging comments to our humble offerings. Smiles ~ Blessings Bill

Daniel Henry Rodgers
Date: 7/15/2025 10:46:00 AM

Hello Bill, Wow... your words truly moved me. I had to sit with them for a while. Honestly, your response touched something deep inside where the part of me that sometimes questions whether this strange dance between science and spirit, between logic and lyricism, actually lands with anyone. To hear that it does, from you, well… that means the world. I’ve always admired your warmth, your wisdom, and the gentle power in your reflections. Summer Blessings, My Friend, Daniel

Anne Winter

Date: 7/14/2025 3:47:00 PM

Dearest Daniel, I love the way you have written this poem scientifically with spirituality and philosophy. Every stanza holds a powerful meaning. "from each small death we die." This reminds me of absurdism, the absurdity of human existence—'we were never I'. Also, the true meaning behind this is that bacteria, fungi, cell etc , we are made up of these and these are the whole of our existence. When a cell or fungi dies, thus, from each small death we die. Wow. With love and respect always, Anne

Anne Winter
Date: 7/15/2025 3:08:00 PM

Soupmail :)

Daniel Henry Rodgers
Date: 7/15/2025 10:43:00 AM

Dearest Anne, I have wanted to write about the symbiotic relationship of all three of these entities and our bodies. It is such a mystery, and yet it is part of our survival. Thanks for being such a special friend, and I hope that your summer is going well. Are you working a summer job? Are you headed off to school this autumn, or do you have other plans? Summer Blessings, My Dearest Anne, Daniel

Tom Woody

Date: 7/14/2025 2:34:00 PM

I think you just inspired a song - Fungi and me. Bacteria has too many syllables

Daniel Henry Rodgers
Date: 7/15/2025 10:39:00 AM

Oh Tom, you are such a Fun Gi to hang around with. LOL! Isn't it amazing how our good Lord has made our bodies in such a way that we have a symbiotic relationship with Bacteria, Viruses, and Fungi, and without them, we would not survive. Thanks, as always, for being one of the first to read my poems. Summer Blessings, My Friend, Daniel

Brandy Nicole
Date: 7/14/2025 6:18:00 PM

:) His humor brings a smile, indeed.

Anne Winter
Date: 7/14/2025 4:01:00 PM

Your sense of humour never fails to make me laugh