"I am What I am" - Poem, 2018

Art, more art. That is what I regularly tell myself ... and others. Being a creator more than being a consumer, seeing the world as an artist does - these are my goals for 2018. So, to begin this new year in pursuit of art, I offer this poem that I just ran across in an old folder at school and that I apparently wrote years ago, though I can't recall when.

I am what I am; 

Teacher, husband, father,

I am what I am.

More conservative than most people expect,

More liberal than I might admit,

I am what I am.

A traditionalist who likes to push the envelope; 

a painfully shy extrovert,

I am what I am.

Smart enough to know better, foolish enough to

make the same mistake twice,

or three times.

I am what I am.

Fiercely loyal to those I know well,

strongly suspicious of too many others;

I am cautious and carefree, and while 

I am always learning and usually willing

to listen, I figured it all out a long

time ago.

I am what I am.

Madly in love with my wife, amazed with,

inspired by, devoted to, and enamored of

my children, I live for my family,

and I can't get enough of them.

I am what I am.

In perpetual pursuit of the truth, constantly

refining my craft, fascinated by the whole

world, desirous of everything

at once, I am completely satisfied, but

always questing for more.

I am maniacally, cautiously

at peace with my life.

I am what I am.