I am

39 Replies

Trent Grin

I am
A pioneer to nowhere
On the cutting edge that passed by
I forge my own path
Even if it’s a well-worn trail

I am
An experimenter in sound
And maker of noise
From creating new classical
To the latest old-school toys

I am
A Wordsmith, bending and shaping
Nouns to swords, verbs to ploughshares
Sowing the air with ideas
A creator of worlds

I am
A manipulator of light
Collecting it with a lens
Changing it with pencils, computer and pens
A recorder, creator of art for sight

I am
A child on a globe-sized playground
Beach, mountain, city and farm
The world is there to be explored
To wonder at and to experience

I am
An athletic non-athlete
Kayaking, walking, running, hiking
Always active, rarely still
Will chew my leg off to escape the TV

I am
A wanna-be wizard
A reader, a learner
Curiously exploring all subjects
Hopefully gaining wisdom with the knowledge

I am
A father of two puppies, two cats and a bird
A husband, lover, brother and son
A friend, acquaintance and coworker
A citizen of my town, state, country and the world

I am
A techno-geek
A computer professional and program manager
A jack of all computer trades
Used to earn my bread

I am
A dreamer and a schemer
A romantic and realist
A person who hates politics yet spews political theory
But, in the end, a dreamer

I am
All of the above
I am
None of the above
I am
“What I am”
I am
Trent
And there is
No definition
That will ever fit

—

How often have you heard a person defined by their occupation?  “The victim was a school teacher,” “I’m a Realtor,” “She’s a dentist,” “He’s a plumber,” etc.  Currently my job might be described as being an IT Project Manager.  But that is not who I am!

Yesterday Solveig did a post, “Who am I?”  It was a poem, a list, lines of who she is.  I really, really like her idea!  But, of course, like Frank S., I wanted to do it in my way.  Not a list.  Not straight forward or “just the facts, Ma’am.”  No, that wouldn’t be me, would it?  So I hope you enjoyed it!  And if you did, check out Solveig’s post and perhaps join the fun and do a “Who am I” or “I am” post yourself.  I want to know – who are you? :)

39 thoughts on “I am”

  2. joannesisco

    I LOVE this post Trent. You nailed it! We are all multi-dimensional but you examined and articulated yours.
    My favourite section was
    I am
    A wanna-be wizard
    A reader, a learner
    Curiously exploring all subjects
    Hopefully gaining wisdom with the knowledge.

    To me this section speaks of the foundation that drives the whole :)

    Liked by 1 person

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  3. prior2001

    Well that first stanza would have fit in nicely with my “pathways” photos today – I can still add the quote
    The part about the forged Path over a well known path is really really good – and is one of the best ways to be original In the now! Gosh – love it so much – especially in this world with lust for wanderlust and exotic trails and crazy adventures – you nailed something good with that-
    And the others are good and I like your point about moving beyond the occupational Identity!
    One more comment – did you forget the “I am a blogger” stanza? The smile host – coffee server – writer of community – friend to other bloggers?

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. trentpmcd Post author

      Thanks! After I wrote it i thought of so many other things I could have added! Blogger would be a good one – writing about creativity and compassion, hosting a smile, making friends both near and far. Maybe I’ll add a couple of more stanzas at some point.

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  4. Pingback: If Were Having Coffee – 1/30/2016 | Trent's World (the Blog)

  6. lifeconfusions

    Oh I loved the concept of this poem Trent. This was really thoughtful yet really light hearted and quirky in it’s own way. We are so much more than just a “Label” we are assigned at a certain part of our life or defining one of the things that we do. Actually your poem managed to capture a much deeper version of human condition even. A very thought provoking piece !

    In short, I liked everything about it ! “There is no definition that will ever fit”. Beautiful and Perfect!

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. trentpmcd Post author

      Really thoughtful and yet light hearted? Yep, that’s who “I am” ;) Thanks Zee! As you saw, I “stole” the idea, but made it my own for the poem. I am thrilled that you liked it!
      Do me a favor. take a few minutes out and write a simple list of who you are. It can be roles you play, the way you see yourself. How you present yourself to others. Where you see yourself going. It doesn’t have to be in the form of a poem. Try to concentrate on the positive while staying real. You don’t have to share it, it is for you to think about, not for us to see. You share so much about your inner struggles and how you feel, but have you ever sat down and tried to define yourself?

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            1. trentpmcd Post author

              I hope your preparations are going well! A few weeks ago you mentioned finals and I thought they started this week, but I saw your post from earlier today and discovered my mistake. Anyway, good luck!

              Liked by 1 person

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                2. trentpmcd Post author

                  Come on, that is insulting! I’m sure your To Do lists have more integrity than that! I thought you didn’t pay attention to the news ;) Sometimes it’s embarrassing to realize that people around the world hear people like him and Cruz speak, and even more embarrassing that so many Americans like them!

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    1. trentpmcd Post author

      Yep, you know exactly what I was thinking when I wrote that line :) If I was talking the Bible I would have said “I am that I am”, but some might take it as blasphemous. Of course, real Popeye lovers might take what I said as blasphemous too ;)

      Liked by 1 person

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  9. Master of Something Yet

    A wonderful poem, Trent. You are a lot of things! I particularly loved the beginning “A pioneer to nowhere / On the cutting edge that passed by”.
    I probably don’t need to say that it also annoys me when people are defined by their occupations. I think I’ve filled out that box on forms with about five different answers over the years. :)

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. trentpmcd Post author

      Thanks H! Well, you know me, if somebody hadn’t already taken it, I could have called myself MoSYtD ;) A bit of this, that and everything else. I have had 4 or 5 job titles in the last 15 or 20 years, but they were all IT related. You’d have to go farther for others, like Air Traffic Controller.

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  13. Pingback: Definition: I am or I am not – Sketches and Vignettes from la Dordogne

  14. Solveig

    What a great post Trent ! It is good to get to know you a little more. :)
    I do hope that some more people will reflect a little about themselves we are often more than we think or than other see at first.

    Liked by 1 person

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