I am not merely a body, encased in skin;
Nor my essence restricted merely to the confines of my mind.
I am not simply a mass of feeble frantic nerves;
My sight not only from these eyes, which I call mine.
My tastes not only from this tongue.
Nor my soul, fit solely for this meager experience
Which I call life.
I am the trees; changing seasons.
I am the ocean back home – The moist and salty air that sits on the pacific.
I am the moon and the stars; The mountains, the rivers and the streams – they’re all a piece of me.
I am the homeless – the native – the slave, and the oppressor.
Within me is the breath of all who have lived – their thoughts and experiences; Knowledge and wisdom.
Close your eyes, and I am you.
Close your eyes, and realize you are All.
About the author
Luke Gossett was a free spirit of deep warmth, curiosity, humor and intellect who used his passions for people, nature, poetry and food to touch and nourish the lives of those he met. Luke’s energy and spirit lives on, leaving the world a better place for him having been here.
His poem was submitted by his mother, Michele who said, “My hope in sharing anything about Luke publicly—especially images or words—is simply to remind others how someone can seem vibrant, talented, even joyful at times… and still be in profound pain. Luke was young, beautiful, deeply gifted—and he was struggling, even when he appeared to be getting better. That is the truth I feel needs to be seen, we have to pay attention and take mental health seriously, not all young people make it through.”
