In a world harboring hate—
In a world lost from love—
I know who
I am.
Do you?
No, of course,
You don’t know me—
You are not me—
But, honestly,
Do you know yourself—
Truly, deeply, immeasurably—
Or are you a stranger?
Strangers are welcome here.
Together strangers become stronger,
More visible—
Less strange.
We are all strangers from others—
Until we are not—
But we must be strange
Even to ourselves?
No. We must not.
I am not.
I will not be
That which I am not.
Truth:
A stranger can know far more
About themselves
By at least knowing what they are not,
If not knowing
Who they are.
In fact,
I have discovered myself—
Me—
Through knowing what and who
I am not.
I am not hate.
I am not apathy.
I am not owned by any noun,
I am not owned by any noun,
Pro or otherwise, including me.
I am not defined by labels.
I am who I am.
I will be who I am.
I will be what I will be.
My faith, my love,
Strong below as above
Are all that define me.
© 2025 Tristan Robert Lange. All rights reserved.
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Author:
Tristan Robert Lange (
Online) - Published: June 20th, 2025 12:05
- Category: Unclassified
- Views: 9
- Users favorite of this poem: Poetic Licence, Cheeky Missy
Online)
Comments6
Good write T. Ohh, us two know a couple of guys - Obi and Popeye, and........who else? lol.
Thank you so much, my friend. Oh...and don't we, though? LOL! Uh-guh-guh-guh-gh young Padawan! 🤣
An interesting and engaging writing ..
I think we can know ourselves or think we do .. or we can feel like a stranger .
Maybe we can feel connected to ourselves .. or lost
It’s difficult to know and understand ourselves completely .. sometimes
Indeed, it sure is. For the longest time I was content in being lost. Escape was my art. No more, if I can help it. Though, admittedly, it's hard helping it sometimes. Thank you, so much, my friend. Your time, thoughts, and presence are always appreciated. 🪞💫🌈🙏
Most interesting Tristan the concept of defining by what one is not. I hate labels whether social, medical, psychological, racial or any other. They do not tell who a person is and just lead to discrimination. A most lovely poem.
That is ALL labels lead too when attached to living beings, no doubt. Thank you, my friend. You got the heart of this poem. Much appreciation my friend. 🪞💫🌈🙏
I hate labels of all sorts, they lead to discrimination or justification. I worked with many children who were hard to control, some people were delighted if they got diagnosed ADH for example, from that point on they blamed everything on the ADH and most of the time their behaviour had nothing to do with ADH. Labelling someone is putting them in a box and they become more of an item than a person. As you rightly say most people do not really know themselves completely, so it is damagingly wrong for others to assume they do, Great Write, Enjoyed.
Amen. Thank you for so truthfully and eloquently expressing this, my friend. Labels are great for shopping store items, but they make terrible identities. Glad this delivered. Have an excellent day, my friend. 🪞💫🌈🙏
You are very welcome and you too
Thank you 🙏
Okay? You've got me...I remain baffled. This twisting, swirling discussion has taken me from the solid terra firma to the murky ether, leaving me dangling in freighted suspense, with no known future. Fascinating. Beautifully rendered as your capable wont, with superb imagery and a curious, haunting poignancy. Thank you for sharing.
Why thank you, my dear friend! Truly glad it delivered. Much appreciated, as always!!! 🪞💫🌈🙏
Sometimes our strange is not what makes us strangers to others but the strangeness that makes for ourselves a home with others.🕊🙏🏻
Indeed! Beautifully said, RiK! Thank you for your time, your thoughts, and for sharing your wisdom! Much appreciated, always! 🪞💫🌈🙏
Most welcome as always Tristan 🙏🏻🕊️
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