Identity

It comes at the boundary of what and who?
Deciding the things which define you as you
Words are simply words and it seems an absurd task
Defining my identity if anyone should ask

Am I am poet, or a person who does poetry
Am I truly kind or do I just make myself act kindly
Am I a scientist because I think theoretically
Am I just a label that defines my identity?

I breath every day but I'd never call myself a breather
Neither as a drinker or a thinker or an eater
Maybe the only reason I don't define by the deeds I do each day
It that every individual I've ever met also acts this way

So if it's not what I do daily, is it what I do differently?
Those things you don't do that I do uniquely?
But I've met better artists, better athletes, better friends
Do I have to win a label and then stand and defend?

I don't think I'm alone in the fact that I falter
I've forgotten many things in the pursuit of growing older
My morality is meant to be my steady compass in a storm
But one day I'll be introduced by things I can't do any more

In these modern times I find people seem to know the life they're living
Like they've looked inside and pried a guide that seemed easily given
And I'm just standing here like "Can I get one of those?"
Preferable one with easy answers and simplistic prose

I'm not sure I can call this a journey as I don't think there's a destination
And though my God stands solid my faith can also be shaken
The only honest answer in this quest to find identity
Is the simplest one of all. That I am me.

You've probably never seen me this way

You've probably never seen me this way
These aren't things that normal people display
I've lost a few days to this beast in my skull with no sleep and it shows
I keep composure with a bigger dose
I'm not alright
- Sandpeople, Not Alright

You've probably never seen me this way,
The things I keep hidden away
The way I act on my own
When I'm left all alone
I'm not alright

It's those days when I try to get ready
My mind wants to leave but my body holds steady
When I know in my heart
That it's time to depart
Wondering why I haven't left already

You've done so much, why can't you do this thing?
You aren't afraid of crowds, even if you can't sing
But I can't find the energy
I find it's left me already
Despite the joy I know it will bring

Do you ever go to move and find yourself depleted?
Those moments you go to fight life and feel defeated?
I don't miss things by a lack of respect
My body's circumspect
And I know this act will be repeated

How do you act that people don't see?
I wonder if you're so different to me?
I want to be more open
About how I'm actually coping
So others don't feel so lost at sea

Silent Protagonist #743

Hi, you can call me silent protagonist #743 

You've probably already seen the likes of me 

The quiet type, oh so stoic 

Listen patiently, don't you know it

I didn't used to be like this you know

 I used to monologue wherever I'd go 

Talk of bravery and other fancy lies 

Some would love me, some would despise

And I caught the ire of a powerful mage 

My fanciful words caused him quiet rage 

His scheme was cunning, so hear my ode 

To the shop I found at the side of the road

---

Welcome to Davos's magical emporium 

We've got treats, and then even more of 'em! 

No adventurer is anyone without my gift 

Buy my trinkets and watch yours stats lift!

Dear sir, yes you! (he pointed at me) 

You look like a fellow who may be in need 

Of a sword (quite affordable) which can cause great harm 

While also (can you believe?) making you feel calm

---

Like anyone would, I asked for a trial 

The shopkeep said sure, with a wicked smile 

I took the sword, gave it a go 

And into the sword I felt my rage flow

I struck the shop dummy with the coldest heart 

The sword struck gladly as I plied my art 

While feeling control I've never felt before 

And instantly knew I'd return to this shop door

---

On my next trip, I got boots which took away my fear 

Guiding me gladly if danger drew near 

A set of spells wrapped up tight in a book 

Always providing the answer if I gave it a look

A shield which always seemed to block 

Whether attacked by a rocket or just a stray rock 

A shapeshifting cloak which sparkled with joy 

Chainmail which took my desire to shy away

---

I am not ungrateful of my aid, so if anyone asked 

I told them the item I got from Davos's last 

Enthusiastically at first, but you see over time 

It seemed more of a grind to keep stopping crime

I grew more methodical, and far more cold 

As each new item came and took control 

Stealing part of my personality, making it their own 

And far too late did this deal became known

I was the greatest, I needed my gear 

I relied on it containing all my anger and fear 

The trade was I could inspire people with speeches no more 

Another silent hero, as Davos cackled inside his door

Tried writing to a prompt for a change - https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/comments/amhcqh/wp_you_probably_should_have_thought_it_through/

Another tongue

You know those times when you sit back relax
And let facts swarm into your cortex?
I mull the possibilities of life all its strife
And if I've failed in navigating something so complex

It may display my grade-school philosophy
But it amazes me that you can understand me

Look ma, look at me! I'm making vibrations
How bizarre that with these vibrations I can give indication
Of some funky theological theory or ask if you're doing fine
Or maybe if you'd like to see a movie and go out some time.

But not only that. Because I spent a life time learning my lines
Learning nuances and how to intertwine densely packed rhymes

What really amazes me, is around the Earth, from many different homes
That crazily, from birth, people learnt from a different set of tongues and tomes
Had we met at five, we could only have communicated in playground games and chalk drawings
But now they've spent their time alive learning so we can talk in a morning

I feel so stupid. Sometimes. Realising how much work it takes.
To learn a new dictionary, and all of English's weird quirks and mistakes.
Especially, when I am apologetically asked for a niche word or definition
One that, in my single tongue, I only learnt after twenty-one years of existing!

I'm sorry if sometimes I speak to fast.
If I forget you and I have different pasts.
You can know so much. I'm in awe, and so I say nothing less
Than that my multilingual friends leave this single-tongued poet
speechless