to be self aware

tricked into believing self-optimization was the point

to become whole, arrive, was to be wondrously efficient
to minimize suffering by any sense of delay

mastering my individual traits
understanding my category

give me a name, a number, an iconography
aligned with the stars, seasons and family history

discern all gaps, make them full
level the mountains for fertile soil

a sandbox glistening with ash
no more ruins of the sorrowful past

"now!" I shout,
"now I build!"

and yet—

optimized, I'm empty
ready, I'm worn

what willpower got me this far
what vision of the life to own
what imagination I thought unique
what pull toward supposed eventuality

to know thyself—
I've forgotten me

//

permit an interpretation of ancient wisdom
that divine revelation understood as the start

a man's destiny, purpose revealed
the promise of rescue and a return home

a thing both growing and burning with a sense of identity
when asked a name—"I AM” what’s given

consider then, in parallel:

if all was made under one breath
every human bearing a weight of glory

then the breeze that whispers under the sparrow's wings
watched, as they say, by eternity

shares an invitation with a promise of rest
a fretless, faithful, peaceful security

“do not fear” the voice of flame, that spark of life

if I AM = is
then me = just be