The world is full of things more permanent
than I am.
The rocks are full of permanence.
I am not a rock.
I am not a tree.
I am not a cloud.
I am not a mountain.
I am not a man.
I am not a horse.
I am not a centaur.
I am not a piece of paper.
I am not a pencil.
I am not a poem.
I am not a thought.
I am not a feeling.
I am not a dream.
I am not an idea.
I am not a belief.
I am not a truth.
I am not a sound.
I am not a color.
I am not a light.
I am not a shape.
I am not a size.
I am not a weight.
I am not a word.
I am not a name.
I am not a number.
I am not.
I am.
---
This poem, while not an actual work by May Swenson, captures the essence of her style:
* Concise and precise language: The poem uses short, impactful sentences and simple vocabulary.
* Playful with structure: It uses repetition and a unique structure to emphasize the speaker's identity.
* Philosophical undertones: The poem explores questions of selfhood, existence, and the nature of reality.
* Unexpected turns: The final lines, "I am not. / I am," are a powerful and ambiguous conclusion, leaving the reader to contemplate the nature of being.
While May Swenson wrote in various styles, this poem exemplifies the concise, playful, and philosophical aspects of her work.