Who Am I?

Finding yourself again.

 

Who am I without you?

            Nothing is the same.

            Do I still have a name?

 

Who am I without you?

            There’s no sense of identity.

            Without you, am I still me?

 

Who am I without you?

            All the broken pieces of a heart

            Where the hell do I start?

 

Who am I without you?

            I’m the same person I was before.

            A little less; maybe a little more.

 

Who am I without you?

            Learning how the big boys play,

A little wiser today, than yesterday.

 

Who am I without you?

            Everything is the same.

            I still own my name.

           

           

Author's Note

I think it's easy to lose ourselves in someone else...when that someone else is no longer a part of your life...who are you then?

Reviews

[Sami Khalil]

A powerful poem on names and identities. It is so true that we can lose ourselves to others if we allow it and find it hard to regain lost territory and identity. I like to share and give for they enrich our sense of it all in a balance way instead just losing and not retaining our name and sense of identity. Mother Nature shares all things but keeps its essence which is God-given. An excellent write...:)...............

[ReedWrite]

Thank you so much, Sami!
It's hard to give of yourself, and not give it all...and sometimes I think for women this is even more the case, as we enter marriage and lose a part of our name...sometimes even a sense of identity if we don't hold fast. At least, in my generation--back in the day--this was more the case. Finding yourself again, can be a challenge...but certainly one worth undertaking. Thank you so much for taking time to read and comment. Big hug, my friend.

[Sami Khalil]

Wow. You are welcome...:)...................

[Lydia Shutter]

It is important to never lose yourself in any relationship. Always make sure your identity stays in tact. I also read this as the loss of a parent....when they are gone, are we still their children? Do we still have their name? Very emotional write. I liked it. Lydi**

[ReedWrite]

Thank you!
Appreciate that you took time to read and comment.

[Black Cat Fever]

Yes so true. You wrote a wonderful poem that explains the pain and confusion perfectly. And the coming out of the other side of that place. Very well done. Splendid work!!!

[ReedWrite]

Thank you very much, Black Cat...appreciate that you took time to read and comment.

[Black Cat Fever]

You are very welcome.

[O.V. Hudson]

I enjoy the idea behind this poem, the question of whether ones own self retains value after the departure of a loved one. I guess I would just be curious how definitive the speaker is at the end when stating they still own their name?
They originally seem overwhelmed in uncertainty which is to be expected, I suppose, after any major change occurs in life. The questions before the last stanza though are without any firm answer, just in between responses that are highlighted by words like maybe or little, things that seem to land in between black and white responses.
This may have been your intention but I was just surprised the ending was so definitive in regards to the narrators answer after doubt seemed to engulf the majority of the poem to that point. Seemed to be a blunt shift in feel at the end I wasn't expecting. Not necessarily a bad thing, just how I felt it read.

[ReedWrite]

Interesting, O.V.
Always curious how others read something, and how they interpret it. I tried to have a shift about half way...tentative at first...hopefully growing stronger...before realizing there is life after love. Maybe it was too blunt. At any rate, thank you for reading and commenting. Appreciate it very much.

[Einstein Noodle]

yes indeed .."who am i ..."? i had a friend ... very together person .. who's wife did a complete 180 and left him ... we were all young .. ex-hippies trying to learn about Jesus and grace attending the same church .. she ran away with a motorcycle group never to be heard from again ..and he ...he ended up in the hospital a nervous broken wreck .. it breaks my heart just thinking about it .. so many years ago ... i especially like the positive note in your closing line ..and the pic ..infers crossing the bridge into the unknown ahead ...scary yet exciting at the same time ...
E.

[ReedWrite]

Yes...it's easy to get lost in someone you love...and when you lose that person, you lose a piece of yourself. I'm sorry about your friend. Did he ever recoup? Move on? I guess some people do, in their own way...others don't...or can't. I hope he did. Thank you, Einstein for reading and commenting. Appreciate it very much.

[Einstein Noodle]

he did ... it took a while but he did .. i lost track of him years ago .. perhaps i should see if i can find him on FB ... top o' the mahrnin' to ya!

[Wesley Dingler]

"Who am I without you?

I’m the same person I was before.

A little less; maybe a little more."

Such a wonderfully touching stanza.

I guess my answer is that when you lose the ones most important to you (the ones you lose yourself in) you are just that, a name, and little more.

[ReedWrite]

Thank you, Wesley.
Appreciate that you took time to read and comment...and you said it perfectly. A name, and a little more.

[Jaybee23]

Yes! especially in this world where there are people to change every fabric of their being to be with that "special" someone. I'll question further who are we with eachtother? We as humans depend on each other; so much that it can devastate someone who loses-in a sense- a piece of themselves. It can be hard, the road to remembering takes time. great job :)

[ReedWrite]

Than you Jaybee. Appreciate that very much, and you're right. We could take that a step farther. Humans, by their nature, are dependent creatures, I think. No man is and Island...to use a quote. Thank you for the read and review. Appreciate it very much.

[M. L. F.]

I love these stanzas especially..


Who am I without you?
There’s no sense of identity.
Without you, am I still me?

Who am I without you?
All the broken pieces of a heart
Where the hell do I start?

Who am I without you?
I’m the same person I was before.
A little less; maybe a little more.

Great piece Pam.. :)

The feelings expressed of loss- of being someone for so long- then the break- and the identity flailing begins.. It takes a minute, but then you will bloom again into something new- something stonger. Surely with scars- but you know what they say... There is no testimony- without the test.. ;)

[ReedWrite]

You said it perfectly, Misty...identity flailing...precisely. And so true again...no testimony without the test. I love that. Thank you for reading and commenting. Always love your perspective. Hugs u tight.

[SZHZIA]

it is so true. I like the repetition , "who are you". I think when someone could not be our part, we should be in ourselves by maintaining a balance that is necessary for a peaceful life. and we should follow so simple norms that is "Loss yourself for those, who are lost for you" and Respect those, who respect you.

Best
Szhzia

Best
Szhzia

[ReedWrite]

So true, Szhzia...very well said. Thank you for reading and commenting. Appreciate it very much.

[SZHZIA]

was my pleasure to read your poems. and you are welcome. :-)

[Coyote Poetry]

The below lines are true wisdom.
"Who am I without you?
Learning how the big boys play,
A little wiser today, than yesterday."
The above lines. A lesson. All of us must learn. Thank you for sharing the amazing poetry.
Coyote

[ReedWrite]

Thank you, Coyote.
Yes, lessons we all learn, usually the hard way.
Thank you so much for reading and commenting. Much appreciated! Big hug.

[Coyote Poetry]

You are right and you are welcome.

[cimmy wuv xxxooo]

I have been having serious thoughts lately on my relationship of about 5 years, I was having serious thoughts of breaking up. Anyway this poem makes me think about that these are the things I was thinking, that if I were to be without him my whole life would be different everything would change, and I was and still am petrified of change, and I'm not very independent.

This poem is amazing it has me thinking and feeling again, I can relate to some of it to.
although even if I where to loose my boyfriend I don't know if I would ever feel like I have lost myself, I am one of those people who really knows who I am, I don't think anything will change that.

Anyway back to your poem Iike how you repeated that same line at the start of every stanza, it makes the poem sound more poetic.
This was very deep and full of meaning.
Was a brilliant write.
Well written indeed :)

[ReedWrite]

Thank you, Cimmy. So glad you liked it.
In my generation...it was easier to lose yourself in your husband, or bf...hopefully I've raised my daughters to be more sure of themselves and who they are. Once you know that...you are a more complete person...and once complete, more able to be part of a team. Thank you for this beautiful comment. Appreciate it very much.

[cimmy wuv xxxooo]

Your very much welcome.
You deserve plenty of reviews you are extremely talented :)