Who Are We?

Luciana Fisher

Blank Verse

Who Are We?

Who are we, if not a collection of our memories?
I am the baby on the window,
The girl on the floor,
The teen who could always love more—
Full of hopes and dreams,
The woman who lost a child,
Yet still learned how to sing.

I am a multitude of me(s) and her(s),
Confounded into one:
I am— the one
or was,
Just a second ago;

Now I am already someone new.
For now, I think of things I did not consider minutes before.
Am I still me? Yes. Yet, I am not.

Who are we, if not a collection of our thoughts
And memories?
Do you recall?
I think I remember me—
But who was I then,
When I was the girl on the floor?
I know she wanted more—
I still do, and so does she.
By allowing myself to remember her,
I get to learn more about me.

The question remains: who are we,
Without our past lives, selves, and memories?
I remember now. I remember her!
I close my eyes and see her clearly—her, me—
"Hello, little one, come here, child. I’ve finally found you, the truest form of me!"
By protecting her memory and reigniting her hopes and dreams,
I finally rescued me.

Who Are We?
We are a collection of thoughts and ancestral memories,
Yearning to be set free!

About this poem

In this poem, I explore the shifting layers of identity, asking who we are beyond the memories and moments that define us. Writing "Who Are We?" was a journey into reconnecting with the past selves we sometimes lose but never truly leave behind. Each line reflects the process of finding strength in vulnerability and honoring the fragments of our history that make us whole. Ultimately, it’s about the quiet but persistent yearning we all feel to understand ourselves and to finally, perhaps, set that self free. more »

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Written on November 06, 2024

Submitted by lf860 on November 06, 2024

Modified by lf860 on November 06, 2024

: 1:19 min read
: 203 Views

Quick analysis:

Scheme	A bcddexx xffxc xdx xbxaxddaga abgaaea Aba
Closest metre	Iambic tetrameter
Characters	1,174
Words	264
Stanzas	7
Stanza Lengths	1, 7, 5, 3, 10, 7, 3

Full analysis for Who Are We? »

Luciana Fisher

· 1982 · Niteroi RJ

Luciana Fisher is a Brazilian-American immigrant, rising poet, and passionate writer currently pursuing a BA in Social Sciences with a concentration in Economics at New York University (NYU). After graduating with honors from BMCC and earning an associate's degree in the Arts of Economics, she reignited her passion for poetry, which helped her in overcoming challenges after a cancer diagnosis. Her writing explores themes of identity, vulnerability, personal growth, and the intricacies of communication through poetry and prose. more…

All Luciana Fisher poems | Luciana Fisher Books

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6 Comments

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katongochanda1
Can spirituality exist without memory..?
LikeReply1 month ago
Arnold_Williams
Very heart felt from beginning to end
LikeReply1 month ago
- lf860
  Thank you so much for your kind words. It means a lot to know it resonated from beginning to end.
  LikeReply1 month ago
alanswansea18
I meant to rate this five but sometimes clicking on the Stars messes up.
LikeReply 11 month ago
debraw.71122
This is a very deep and thought probing write.
LikeReply 11 month ago
- lf860
  Thank you so much for your kind words. I’m glad the poem resonated with you and invited reflection. It means a lot to know it made an impact.
  LikeReply1 month ago
gary_dean
You are so right about memories, Luciana. The impact of episodes in our young life become our general experience of life. The harder the childhood, the harder that life seems. The highlight of your poem is you finding and greeting your inner child, tenderly, and soothing her. That's probably the essential journey for finding inner peace. Nice write. more »
LikeReply 21 month ago
- lf860
  Thank you so much for your thoughtful words. I’m touched that the poem’s journey to reconnect with the inner child resonated with you. I believe, as you said, that healing those early memories is essential for finding inner peace, and it’s comforting to know others see the same truth. Thank you for reading so deeply and sharing your reflections—it means so much. more »
  LikeReply1 month ago
senator_erix
Philosophically poetic. After reading this poem I felt so sad and lonely, like I just lost a familiar friend. I thought about who I used to be. Position as comedian, friend to those who needed, make shift pastor and much more. Now a father , deeper things I've lost and deeper things I've gained. Wondering if I really know what I have to offer to tomorrow.
Smiles, sadness, loneliness, comfort. It provokes wise introspection. more »
LikeReply 31 month ago
- lf860
  Thank you so much for sharing your response to reading my poem. Your words move me deeply. It’s powerful to realize the parts of ourselves we’ve carried through the years, the roles we’ve filled for others, and the ones we still fill today. I think we all grapple with that sense of gain and loss—wondering if who we are now measures up to who we once were, and if it’s enough for what lies ahead.I’m honored that my poem could be a companion for you in this reflection, stirring both joy and sadness. I believe that even in these quiet moments of introspection, there’s wisdom and strength in simply acknowledging who we’ve been, and that by doing so, we’re always offering something valuable to tomorrow. Thank you again for reading, and for connecting so deeply with the poem. more »
  LikeReply 21 month ago
- ericw.83100
  you are welcome. And I sincerely thank you for writing. Your poetry, your words. I feel like when you write there's so much of your inner self in them. Your poetry reflects your deep thoughts and emotions in a way that pulls my inner self,thoughts and feelings out and just causes me to blend in.
  I feel what you feel I see and think what you see and think. I understand that I can't know your inner self completely but I truly do feel our lives are not the same but your words fit my mind and heart some how. There are not any modern day poets that I like very much, but I assure you I do like you. I hope you continue to write for ever. I am your biggest fan. For your wonderful works, THANK YOU! more »
  LikeReply 11 month ago
- senator_erix
  You are very welcome. I sincerely thank you. When you write it's like your poetry reflects so much of your thoughts and emotions. I feel I kind of am able to experience your inner self. I think what you think I see and feel what you see and feel. I understand that I can't completely know your inner self because our lives are not the same but what you write brings my emotions and thoughts together and I just kind of blend in to the world you've created. There's not really any modern day poets that I like much. I assure you. I do like you. Continue to write for ever. I am your biggest fan. more »
  LikeReply 11 month ago
- lf860
  Thank you so much for such a genuine, heartfelt message. It means the world to me that my words resonate with you on such a deep level. Knowing that my poetry can bridge our different experiences and create a shared space of emotion and thought is the highest compliment I could ever receive. Your support and encouragement inspire me to keep writing, knowing that these pieces of my inner self can connect with others in such a meaningful way. I’m grateful to have such a thoughtful reader—thank you for being there with me on this journey. I’ll keep writing, just as you said, for as long as I can. ❤️ more »
  LikeReply 11 month ago
- senator_erix
  yay. I so look forward to continuing to read more of your work .
  LikeReply 11 month ago

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"Who Are We?" Poetry.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 12 Dec. 2024. <https://www.poetry.com/poem/203354/who-are-we?>.

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