Have you ever inventoried the many names, labels, and titles you’ve been called by people throughout your life?
Yes, even the nasty ones.
What does it say, what does it mean, …what do you do with the good, the bad, and the ugly?
As part of a recent fundraiser, I had the privilege of commissioning three prominent poets to write a poem about me. Each was a complete stranger. They were given my website/ blog as a resource to draw from.
In this blog, I’ve included their written text and audio recording of their reading. At the public event, I was also invited to read one of my poems and chose the following composition.
WHO DO YOU SAY – I AM?
Father, …son, …husband, …grandfather, …leader, …follower, …teacher, …student, …scientist, …engineer, …deacon, …sailor, …veteran, …answer-man, …guyeaux, …guy beau, …honey, …hubby, …friend, …holy-man, …satan, …bull, …rock, …abuser, …philosopher, …musician, …artist, …power-user, …gentleman, …too-religious, …arrogant, …good-man, …neighbor, …stranger, …impotent, …professional, …homosexual, …democrat, …republican, …independent, …Popsie, …Popee’, …babe, …daddio, …pops, …war-criminal, …mr. bingo, ….I was even called an extroverted-introvert, or maybe it was an introverted-extravert???
Some built me up, …others tore me down. Yet, they were only thoughts in the minds of men and women – all occupying the same house of cards.
If 50 people KNOW guy, — each will THINK – a different guy.
If 50 people SEE guy, — each receive a different REFLECTION of guy.
If 50 people HEAR guy, — each receive a different VIBRATION of guy.
Yet, I am only ONE guy.
So now, Who do you say I am?
What follows is a bit of indulgent fun for me, and I hope you find it entertaining. Each is so very different. I love them all.
Mona Lisa Saloy
Clare L Martin
The following composition was influenced by my love of delta blues and response to the question, “Who do you Love,” which is one of Bo Diddley’s famed songs.
Toby Daspit
If there is one bit of wisdom that can be drawn from all the many names we’ve been called in life, it is that words/names are never the things it points to. For example, the “word” apple is not the apple; two totally different things. Yet, without this awareness, our minds fail to separate the two.
It has taken a lifetime to realize that who I am is truthfully defined as a child of God, and I am beloved just as I am.
And for anyone else, there is no greater honor bestowed than to be called “friend.”
REFLECTION
Start with a blank sheet of paper, and jot down all the names you’ve been called throughout your life, all the good, the bad, and the nasty. The ones that others have called you and the names you call yourself. Take special note of the ones that hurt or degrade you and the positive ones as well. This may take a week or two as memories pop to the surface. Spend some time with these memories and journal how they influenced your life and feelings toward yourself.
Then ask yourself, who does God say you are? Then let go of what is no longer life-giving.
Ps. as always, feel free to share comments or thoughts
Beautiful reflections and observations.
My god , my friend! The poems and readings were tremendous! That was some kind of creative output you commisioned. You are touching more lives with your pure vibration and creativity than I thought possible. Brilliant
thank you, friend