I Am What I Am

My head slightly bent over a table of happiness.

My feet, sod with white lilacs, dance merrily 
to a moon stroke music of twilight night.

My finger-tips childishly sip 
the sweat of quill, like red wine of Mother Earth 
that runs down the skin of my heart.

Down in the chores of primal things 
I have been to the bowl aquarium, mostly at nights 
where I breathed and twitched with the fish, trying 
to catch the warm winks of stars. Ahh, 

I know all about human arts, although I 
dabble in the language of my adopted father; still
I know how to sketch 
in my own words a lovely butterfly, fluttering 
awhile in the night to say hello

and to kiss me, 
ere on a fluffy pillow 
of dreams 
I close my eyes. My name is nothing special, 
but honestly I am what I am… a poetry dancer, dancing 
with emotions for my fictitious lover.



Author’s note:  I wrote it in response to “The Invitation to Write”, by Gather 
Essentials: Writing Challenge, based on Carl Sandburg’s poem “Who Am I?”
Copyright © | Year Posted 2008

Poem

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12
Horn Avatar
March 9, 2015 at 9:24 PM
This is one of the best most emotional and meaningful poem I have ever read. It has inspired me to write some more. Jim Horn We are close together in total poetry production. http://www.poetrysoup.com/poets/ top_100_poets_most_poems_all_time.aspx
Culverhouse Avatar
August 14, 2009 at 1:23 PM
very good, enjoyed it greatly
Erken Avatar
June 6, 2009 at 11:47 AM
Congratulations dear Ernesto.Your poem is wonderful.You deserve win.Best wishes, Fide
Peranteau Avatar
June 6, 2009 at 9:42 AM
Ernesto,..Bravo on this beautiful poem,..and congrats on your win !
Suzadail Jr. Avatar
June 2, 2009 at 4:02 PM
Congrats Ernesto. You are a poet. God Bless. Vince
Hensley Avatar
June 2, 2009 at 2:58 PM
Congratulations on your featured poem this week! Great write!
Fanesi Avatar
June 2, 2009 at 2:29 PM
Hi Ernesto - Congratulations on your win in the PSoup Contest! An excellent write! Respectfully, Joe
Sullivan Avatar
June 1, 2009 at 4:42 PM
Congratulations, Ernesto, on your well deserved win. All best, Orma
Brown Avatar
June 1, 2009 at 7:15 AM
Congratulatios Ernesto on your win. Love, Carol
Winter Avatar
June 1, 2009 at 3:55 AM
Warmest congrats Ernesto on this amazing piece of art! Well deserved. Love, Shar
Tugaff Avatar
June 1, 2009 at 12:49 AM
Hello Mr. Poet, yes, you are what you are. Once again, congratulations and may God continue to bless you with more power and success. ENJOY. Ernilando
Strand Avatar
June 1, 2009 at 12:35 AM
Congrats on your feature poem this week Ernesto . Rgds Brian
Mason Avatar
May 31, 2009 at 10:10 PM
Awesome write. Glad to see you win, Ernesto! You're one of the best here at the Soup!! Congratulations.
Spence Sr Avatar
May 31, 2009 at 11:56 AM
Awesome E! I like the images in this poem. I can see them clearly. I like the red wine from Mother Earth. Great job! ~J
Coet Avatar
May 31, 2009 at 11:49 AM
Way to go Ernest. This is a super win for you. Congratualtions! -ED-
Gorelick Avatar
May 31, 2009 at 11:09 AM
Good for you! wonderful write and well deserved win. Love BG
Adeite Avatar
May 31, 2009 at 9:25 AM
My warmest congratulations to you dear on your awesome 5th placement… you are such a wonderful writer… please let your poetry pen keep dancing to the drum beat of your passions and poetrysoup-land. You are great. leke
Fraser Avatar
May 31, 2009 at 6:59 AM
Congratulations on your poem being placed > James
Richards Avatar
May 31, 2009 at 6:37 AM
Wonderful writing, how thrilling to be among the "BIG" winners.....Congratulations !!!
Scott Avatar
May 31, 2009 at 5:22 AM
Congrats on a beautiful poem Ernesto!
Hero Aka Hero-Wilson Avatar
May 31, 2009 at 3:39 AM
Congratulations!
Ahmad Avatar
May 31, 2009 at 2:38 AM
Congrats!!!!
La France Avatar
May 31, 2009 at 12:43 AM
Congratulations on your win, very very nice poem
Strand Avatar
May 30, 2009 at 11:27 PM
Congrats on your success in PS contest Ernesto .Rgds Brian
Jordan Avatar
May 30, 2009 at 11:05 PM
Ernesto congratulations on placing Fifth in the Soup contest, Great job and wonderful to read you - God Bless, MJ
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