Who Am I ?

By Tsheten Chokki Bhutia

Who am I?

A simple question one may think-

But, is it?

I find myself asking this question,

And I wonder; how would one choose to answer it?

Am I just a name?

Or am I just a title?

Perhaps an identity imposed by the society?

If only it were that simple.

Who am I if not just a name?

Who am I if I am stripped off any title, I may hold?

Who am I if my body no longer exists?

I look into the mirror;

Hoping to find answers

Hoping that it will reflect who I am Even though I see myself there, standing

It fails to answer who I really am.

All I see is a body, a face that identifies me

But never before had I looked at my reflection,

And felt so indifferent

Never had I felt so distant.

Surely this can’t be it-

Surely there must be a way,

To answer this simple, yet enigmatic question,

There must be something,

Something that can answer it all,

And that which will finally suffice my soul.

Perhaps I was looking for answers

In the wrong places;

Perhaps the reflection I needed to see

Was not on the outside;

Perhaps all I need is to look within,

And acknowledge what truly lies inside

Be mindful-

And be a spectator of my own life,

For that which is reflected in the mirror

May fade with time,

But the ultimate truth reflected by my mind

Is what I shall forever live by.

By Tsheten Chokki Bhutia