SUM OF PARTS

Published on May 2, 2007 By dynamaso In Writing

I have my mother’s mouth
And her creative ways
I have her nurturing instinct
And her love of music

I have my father’s legs
And I have his eyes
I have his way with people
And his love of good humour

I have my mother’s sins
Her vanity and pride
I have her nervous laugh
And her lack of self-control

I have my father’s bullhead
His lack of faith in his own abilities
I have his crushing shyness
And his damned dodgy knees

I have my granddad’s temper
Though I never met him
Although I never met him
I feel his anger in me

I have my grandma’s wit
My uncle’s forehead
My balding brother’s hair
My sister’s commonsense

All this makes me wonder
What part of me is me
What of my constantly-ringing ears?
Can I give them back?

Comments (Page 1)

Zoologist03

on May 02, 2007

Ah, but the whole is greater than the sum of its parts...perhaps the factors that make up the being are similar to others, but the being itself is unique.

Quit making me think, Maso!

Great piece, by the way.

~Zoo

dynamaso

on May 02, 2007

Zoo,

perhaps the factors that make up the being are similar to others, but the being itself is unique.

Hmm, perhaps you should be doing Philosophy. Very well said and, in no small way, the point I was trying to arrive at. This was spurred by a recent conversation about parents, lineage, nature and nuture. If I was indeed the sum of my parents as they are, I don't know if I'd like that person. As it is, I'm very happy with me.

Oh and I'm sorry I made you think. Can't have students thinking for themselves, for gawds sake

Glad you liked it...

Zoologist03

on May 02, 2007

Hmm, perhaps you should be doing Philosophy.

I'm actually quite good with theorizing on abstract concepts. I hope to fit a few philosophy classes in while I'm in college, if only to expand my thinking.

My paper that I recently conjured up was based on the philosophical ponderings of memory representations...it was a real pain to write because of all the pages...but I do love to speculate.

~Zoo

dynamaso

on May 02, 2007

I do hope you get to do some philosophy. Personally, I think basic philosophy should be a mandatory part of every senior high school curriculum. In my life, I have found those who have some theoretical knowledge of the basic philosophies to be far more open-minded, compassionate and thinking people.

SanChonino

on May 02, 2007

I truly like it . . . very thought-provoking and meaningful.

Strong work, Maso.

Buddah Moskowitz

on May 02, 2007

Great! This was perfect! Thanks.

Zoologist03

on May 02, 2007

Personally, I think basic philosophy should be a mandatory part of every senior high school curriculum.

I wouldn't mind...but you know there are those people that can't think outside the box enough to save their lives. If it's not sports or sex they can't seem to understand what's going on.

~Zoo

Shovelheat

on May 02, 2007

I truly like it . . . very thought-provoking and meaningful.

I agree! Very gestalt of you, Maso...

Zoologist03

on May 02, 2007

gestalt

I was going to whip that word out...but I couldn't remember it at the time.

~Zoo

dynamaso

on May 02, 2007

San Chonino,

I truly like it . . . very thought-provoking and meaningful

Thanks mate. Hope thinking didn't bother you as much as it bothered Shaun

Buddah,

This was perfect. Thanks.

No thank you. This is high praise indeed for something I considered less than so.

Zoo,

there are those people that can't think outside the box enough to save their lives

These are exactly the people who need to learn the basics, if only to learn the basics of humanity. But breaking down the walls of their boxes can be a difficult job indeed.

Shovel,

Very gestalt of you

Thanks mate. What a lovely word 'gestalt' is... I should have used it for the title of this poem.

foreverserenity

on May 03, 2007

As it is, I'm very happy with me.

And that's the part that counts!

Your poem made me smile!

dynamaso

on May 03, 2007

Serenity,

that's the part that counts

Indeed it is

I am pleased this made you smile too.

MasonM

on May 03, 2007

Part of me likes it, part of me doesn't.

InBloom

on May 03, 2007

This makes me want to sit back and think about who and what makes me. It's interesting to reflect on this.

MasonM

on May 03, 2007

This makes me want to sit back and think about who and what makes me. It's interesting to reflect on this.

Sugar and spice and everything nice?

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