Kurt Ravidas Poet Blank verse

I Am It

"Thou art That" (Chandogya Upanishad 6.8.7 of the Sama Veda)

You wanna know what’s something you are not?
It is that easy. Take a piece of paper,
divide it into two parts with a pen,
entitle the left side as “I”, the right 
one – “It” and then think twice about who 
you are. A mate? A son? A spouse? A father?
Etcetera. Write down them on the left
and think again. What’s It? A pen? A paper?
The writing table you are sitting at?
The house you’re living in? Write down 
them all on the right side and then cross out 
the features which are neither You nor It.
Is “I” of you entirely determined
by features “man”, “taxpayer”, “citizen”?
Cross features out. Cross out everything
that’s not the real Itness which includes
all sets of Its throughout the universe, 
reducing both lists until just “I” 
and “It” remain. Read the result aloud...
Hm, I am It. The rest is I am not.


01.08.2019
Something I Am Not Poetry Contest
Sponsored by: craig cornish

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Andrea Dietrich August 15, 2019 at 2:39 PM I think you have a very philosophical side to you! This was clever and unique!

Kurt Ravidas August 5, 2019 at 8:58 AM Dear collegues, I'm so glad to see you liked this humble poem. No, I'm happy! Rays of love)

Caren Krutsinger August 5, 2019 at 5:31 AM It is a fun read, and when you do it, it is clear why it is a fun read. It is a fun activity too!

Kim Rodrigues August 1, 2019 at 6:10 AM What an interesting write! You give a lot of thought to “it” ;)

Connie Marcum Wong August 1, 2019 at 3:41 AM This is really interesting Kurt. I shall have to try it. Nicely done my friend. xxoo : )

Quoth Theraven July 31, 2019 at 11:29 PM Kurt, I like this poem. A very philosophical journey to the center of 'I' and 'it'. -Richard