Cloistered
Posted by Rob Kistner | Filed under art, Free Verse, mystery, philosophy, photorendering, Poetry
This piece deals with the strange duality we all carry with us through life, the unique contradiction between the person we think we are, and the ‘many’ other persons others perceive us to be from their experience of us, as filtered through their differing individual perceptions. Fair or not, convenient or not — we are ‘judged’, and our lives are impacted to one degree or another, every day by how we measure up to each of these interpretations of the “I” we are thought to be. This includes the “I” we perceive ourselves to be. Which one is real, which one is valid — or is any one of them truly definitive? The phrase “I am” presents a fascinating philosophical quandary.
image by René Magritte
•
when another
tells you of yourself
you’re shown the dance they see
your outward choreography
but you hear not of the music
that rings true in your mind
that leads and drives the steps
for this music they know not
you are shown the reflection
not the light that shines inside
that illuminates your soul
to guide your steps and stride
are we the I we know
the self we see full measure
or are we the other
the one known to another
for if the valid one
be the one most known
then we are that other
the one to ourselves unknown
for surely when compared
the majority story shared
is of the manifest other
the one seen by another
and so we live our life
cloistered in this other
and live this life alone
even when by many known
for the you that’s shown
is the you that’s not your own
• • •
rob kistner © 2012
August 13th, 2012 at 2:10 pm
I really like “are we the I we know”…nice Rob…
August 13th, 2012 at 11:33 pm
Lovely piece, I reread it to see if my feelings changed. The We usage stands out for me, a dear friend always talks about us as WE…!
Nice photo too!
August 14th, 2012 at 1:32 pm
I loved this piece – your thoughts are my thoughts here…. I once read that what others think of you is none of your business!
August 14th, 2012 at 1:48 pm
Whether how others perceive us is any of our business or not, we will likely never know their true perception, because very few will ever share it — and it seldom aligns with how we perceive ourselves. But we need to understand that their perception impacts our life, because people act on their perception of us. And you need to realize that other people’s perception of us changes from time to time, based on our actions, or their circumstances; sometimes a little and sometimes a lot — so simply be aware, and don’t be surprised…
August 14th, 2012 at 5:38 pm
So true, so true. The I we see is not I that is me. Only I can see the cherished me; I guard it close for God to see.
August 14th, 2012 at 7:21 pm
this is a very interesting piece rob…i think some times our image of ourselves can be skewed a bit so its not a bad thing to be able to see how others view us…we do have to determine if there is truth in it though…but there may be things we do not realize about ourselves as well…
August 15th, 2012 at 3:00 am
I wholly agree Brian that the question each of us ask of ourselves regarding “who I am” is quite complex, multi-layered — that’s why I question, in the introduction I wrote to my poem, whether any perception, ours or others, is truly definitive. The philosopher in me loves to grapple with concepts like this. I used to spend hours with my son Justin, who moved close to a year ago to San Francisco with his wife, deep in a variety of philosophical discussions — I greatly miss that interaction…
August 15th, 2012 at 4:13 pm
This is really good. I especially loved the first and fifth stanzas, but I was nodding my head all throughout. What makes it more complicated is that the “one seen by another” is also viewed through the glass of their own biases, their own preconceived notions. Which raises the question, is the real you ever truly seen by anyone, either by yourself or others? Very thought-provoking piece.
August 15th, 2012 at 5:32 pm
Evenstarwen, you got it…
…here is an even deeper philosophical question; is there in fact a “real” you — or are we all simply amorphous, ever-changing entities, that slip on then off this planet, to create a multitude of impressions while living, and leave behind a myriad of impressions of who we were after passing, each interpreted by the individuals who encountered us. It is tempting to claim that the “real” us, the authentic “I”, is the “I” we think we are. But if others do not perceive us that way, then is that a valid claim? When we ask ourselves “who am I”, it’s very much like asking “what is truth” — it’s a matter of perspective, and it’s all fun food for thought…
August 17th, 2012 at 1:32 pm
I am so impressed with your amazing talents. Your poetry is captivating to say the least, and I have recommended it to my friends on facebook. I do some writing and have painted for many years. Some of my writing is on ‘A Little Poetry, A Little Art, A Little Music’ , a google blog. Have just joined WordPress. Will certainly visit your blog often.