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Daniel Henry Rodgers

Notes About The Poem

“I am you, and you are me, and we are both of us together.”
- Clarice Lispector
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“In each of us there is another whom we do not know.”
- Carl Young
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“When we listen to trees, we learn that nothing is perfect or complete.”
- Hermann Hesse

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if not me. . .

if I were not me
who else would you be
my thoughts slip away
your memories fray
let’s go plant a tree

Copyright © Daniel Henry Rodgers | Year Posted 2026

identityintrospectionmemoryphilosophypsychologicallyric

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August 13, 2026 at 9:35 AM

I think chemistry between people is never quite the same forcing us to change and is not the same for everyone, I read its expression, intensity, and even perception can vary widely from person to person, as I have discovered in my life journey. Such a good point through emotional synchrony couples become as one. Food for thought. Let's go! plant a memory tree! Liked, Daniel ☯️

August 5, 2026 at 10:16 PM

Less is more, dear Daniel! 🕊️

Darlene De Beaulieu

July 31, 2026 at 3:33 PM

Hello Daniel Henry Rodgers, Yes if there is space to plant a tree, then a tfree should be planted there. My friend, enjoy your evening. /Darlene/

Darlene De Beaulieu

August 4, 2026 at 3:29 PM

Hello Daniel Henry Rodgers, Your welcome my friend. Yes there is something grounding about planting trees. Every time a cedar tree is removed one is always planted in its place. A tree takes time to grow. tall. We need trees for the air. Blessings my friend. /Darlene/

Daniel Henry Rodgers

August 4, 2026 at 10:45 AM

Dear Darlene, thank you, my friend. There’s something grounding about planting a tree like giving the earth a small promise. I appreciate your kind words. Wishing you a peaceful day too. Blessings, Daniel

July 31, 2026 at 2:44 AM

So many words left unsaid, yet this poem is complete, wonderful work, Daniel😊

Daniel Henry Rodgers

August 4, 2026 at 10:46 AM

Dear Joanna, that means a lot to me. I love when a poem can stay small but still feel complete. Thank you for reading it with such care. Blessings, Daniel

July 28, 2026 at 4:02 PM

Daniel, a thought provoking poem. The tree seems to symbolize life for future generations as well as planting it as a memorial for those generations we have lost. An enjoyable read.

Daniel Henry Rodgers

August 4, 2026 at 10:46 AM

Dear Tania, I really appreciate this thoughtful reflection. Yes, trees hold both memory and hope, don’t they? I’m glad that symbolism came through for you. Thank you for the kind read. Blessings, Daniel

July 28, 2026 at 7:24 AM

Wow, wow, wow! Dear Daniel, I'm absolutely blown away by the dense quality of brevity you've presented here, your words are so crisp and concise yet they offer an ocean of depth to dive.. This is beyond soulful! And the questioning is absolutely resonating. Isn't life all about realising that who would we be, if not ourselves, and why we were meant to be who we are today.. it's all a maze until the soul unfurls in silent enlightenment. Such a pleasure reading your heartfelt poetry always ~ this is surely a favourite ~ Sending you light and best wishes always.

Daniel Henry Rodgers

August 4, 2026 at 10:47 AM

Dear Hiya, your words are always such a gift. I’m grateful you felt the depth inside the brevity, sometimes the smallest lines carry the biggest questions. Your insight about identity and the soul’s unfolding resonates deeply. Thank you for this beautiful response and for the light you always send. Blessings, Daniel

July 27, 2026 at 7:24 AM

Thought provoking and enjoyable read !

Daniel Henry Rodgers

August 4, 2026 at 10:47 AM

Dear Karen, thank you so much. I’m glad the poem gave you something to think about. I appreciate you taking the time to read it. Blessings, Daniel

July 25, 2026 at 9:56 PM

wow, FAV Daniel :)

Daniel Henry Rodgers

August 4, 2026 at 10:50 AM

Dear Paige, Thank you so much my dear friend. Blessings, Daniel

July 25, 2026 at 9:19 PM

A new, unexpected style from you here, my friend.

Daniel Henry Rodgers

August 4, 2026 at 10:48 AM

Hello Gershon, I appreciate that. It’s fun to step into a different style now and then. Thanks for noticing and for the read, my friend. Blessings, Daniel

July 24, 2026 at 9:56 PM

Dearest Daniel, a brilliant write! I plant a tree on my birthday every year. With love and respect always, Anne

Daniel Henry Rodgers

August 4, 2026 at 10:48 AM

Dearest Anne, thank you. I love that you plant a tree every year and what a beautiful ritual of renewal. Your note means a lot to me. With love and respect always. Blessings, Daniel

July 24, 2026 at 9:14 PM

This is wisdom in beautiful brevity. In each one of us, there is a side, better another entity we do not know. What a mystery! Who is he/she? Somethings remain as mysteries for ever. Instead of racking our brain on solving such puzzles, let us do something constructive... let us plant a tree! My version of your poem may be a little off the track. Please ignore. Into my FAVE

Daniel Henry Rodgers

August 4, 2026 at 10:49 AM

Dear Valsa, your reflections are always so thoughtful. Yes, we all carry that hidden self, that mystery we only glimpse. And planting a tree feels like the right answer to so many questions. Thank you for the FAV and for your generous insight. Blessings, Daniel

July 24, 2026 at 8:07 PM

Seems heartbreaking! The tree, in memory of a loss. And the rest shares how that person helped make you who you are. With a heavy grief, we are never the same. Hugs and blessings, Daniel!

Daniel Henry Rodgers

August 4, 2026 at 10:51 AM

Dear Kim, thank you for this heartfelt reading. Loss does change us, and trees often become the places where memory settles. I appreciate your tenderness here. Hugs and blessings to you. Blessings, Daniel

July 24, 2026 at 6:36 PM

this reminds me of johari window's dynamic...sometimes we need to attain self awareness to be rooted, grounded like a tree... a gem of a write in short form, daniel!

Daniel Henry Rodgers

August 4, 2026 at 10:51 AM

Dear Nette, I love that you brought the Johari Window into this, such a perfect connection. Self‑awareness really is its own kind of rooting. Thank you for this thoughtful, insightful note. Blessings, Daniel

July 24, 2026 at 8:08 PM

Ooh…I love that you used the Johari Window!

Andrea Dietrich

July 24, 2026 at 5:28 PM

Very interesting one. Short yet evocative!! Love that it rhymes

Daniel Henry Rodgers

August 4, 2026 at 10:52 AM

Dear Andrea, thank you. I’m glad the brevity still carried something evocative. And yes, a little rhyme can sometimes open the door. I appreciate your kind words. Blessings, Daniel

July 24, 2026 at 2:48 PM

Daniel, don’t know who else I would be, but would love to plant a tree… Beryl

Daniel Henry Rodgers

August 4, 2026 at 10:52 AM

Dear Beryl, thank you. I think planting a tree is always a good answer to the question of who we might be. I appreciate your warm note. Blessings, Daniel

July 24, 2026 at 1:31 PM

Thought provoking verse Daniel, I've read about people coming out of a coma and only having memories of another life. Quite a terrifying experience. Tom

Daniel Henry Rodgers

August 4, 2026 at 10:53 AM

Hello Tom, that’s a fascinating, and unsettling, thought. Identity really is a fragile thing, isn’t it? Thank you for reading and for sharing that perspective. Blessings, Daniel

July 24, 2026 at 1:26 PM

First of all, dear Daniel, I am surprised! That this poem which is so very impactful is short! Knowing how much you write ~ I must say even your short poems are so very soulful! And ofcourse a question we all maybe ask sometimes? Or maybe likeminded souls like you and I! I absolutely felt this one! I think; in whichever shape or form you may appear, or come, you willl always be a deep feeler and thinker! This is a fave! Pleasure reading ~ Sending you light always

Daniel Henry Rodgers

August 4, 2026 at 10:54 AM

Dear Empress, thank you for this beautiful response. I’m touched that the short form still felt soulful to you. And yes, these questions about who we are and who we might be seem to follow us through every shape we take. Your insight and kindness mean a lot. Sending you light always. Blessings, Daniel

Dorothy Gibbons

July 24, 2026 at 10:50 AM

Wow Daniel truly spectacular write... I loveeee trees so thought picture spoke volumes to me. Such a beautiful lyric fav it today blessings my friend. I luv to hug a tree too. :D <3

Daniel Henry Rodgers

August 4, 2026 at 10:54 AM

Hello Dorothy, thank you so much. I love that the tree image spoke to you, trees carry so much wisdom. And yes, hugging one is always allowed. Blessings to you, my friend. Daniel

July 24, 2026 at 9:38 AM

Daniel, you've reminded me that I want to plant a tree in my front yard. I would like something that will grow fast and have a large spread to help hold the earth together. I enjoyed reading this one today. Sara K.

Daniel Henry Rodgers

August 4, 2026 at 10:55 AM

Dear Sara, thank you. I hope you do plant that tree, something strong and wide‑spreading sounds perfect. I’m glad this poem nudged that thought forward. I appreciate your kind words today. Blessings, Daniel

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