I am Me

Where am I?

I am a speck, perched ‘pon this ball of rock

spinning through space; vast, dark, empty.

Galaxies drift apart, on ticks the clock;

I am here, here never again will I be.

When am I?

I am a gust of wind that dies away

soon forgotten, leaving no trace. Because

the vast expanse of time will stay

long after I’ll be; long before I ever was.

What am I?

I am a trillion cells. Some have my genes,

others don’t. Matter flows, continuous

I am built of wheat, rice and beans –

Yet I perceive my existence, contiguous.

Why am I?

A butterfly’s flap would have meant

A different sperm: I never was to be.

Odds: a billion dollars to a single cent

Yet I am here, I am now, I am me.

Who am I?

Am I automaton, or truly free?

Nature or nurture – what is greater?

The great I Am hand-crafted me

I am both creature and creator