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Who Are You and Who Am I

—a villanelle

Who are you and who am I
That you fill my life with light
And for me you chose to die.

I have fallen from on high,
I am foolish, you are wise,
Who are you and who am I?

You are truthful, I can lie,
You have rules I cast aside,
And for me you chose to die.

On your wings I learn to fly
On this journey that’s called life
Who are you and who am I?

Now I have to wonder why,
You are always by my side
And for me you chose to die.

I don’t deserve your sacrifice,
But you have risen, brought new life,
Who are you and who am I
That for me you chose to die.

.

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Maria Panayi was born in Cyprus before the Turkish invasion but now lives in the UK as her former home is under occupation. She is now retired after working for many years supporting children with special education needs.

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14 Responses

  1. Russel Winick

    A simple yet deeply eloquent and moving poem. Perfect for the day. Thank you.

    Reply
    • Maria

      Dear Russel,
      Thank you so much for your lovely comment. It is very kind of you. This year is one of those rare times where Catholic and Orthodox Easter fall at the same time so it is even more special. SCP has brought home to me how very special that is. Thank you

      Reply
  2. Margaret Coats

    This subject, the mystery of encounter between two persons who discover one another, is well suited to the villanelle with two refrains. Maria, you’ve chosen the most significant of all encounters for this apparently simple poem, the meeting of God in Christ with a sinful soul in desperate need of light and life. The language is childlike, as is the wonder at the divine sacrifice and the gracious benefits received by the speaker. You express Easter surprise at what Our Lord has wanted to give us, and indeed won for us through his life-giving death. The long “I” sounds for both rhymes imply attention and concentration on the marvel that finally comes to direct expression in the poem’s final lines. Beautifully done!

    Reply
  3. Susan Jarvis Bryant

    What a beautiful and humble Easter poem. I like the questioning tone, and I especially like the lines: “On your wings I learn to fly / On this journey that’s called life” It reminds me that the older I get the less I know, and that’s a good thing. It allows me to explore His teachings and embrace them from new perspectives born from pain. For me, love means understanding, and learning to understand our Saviour and His message is most humbling indeed. Maria, thank you!

    Reply
  4. Gigi Ryan

    Dear Maria,
    Humility and thankfulness are woven together to communicate the wonder of salvation. While it reads so easily and simply, I know it took creativity and wit to get there. Thank you for this lovely meditation. Happy Easter!
    Gigi

    Reply
  6. Paul A. Freeman

    All the more poignant considering today’s news.

    If only they’d had poems like this when I was at school.

    Thanks for the read, Maria.

    Reply
  7. Roy Eugene Peterson

    Great poem of introspection and reflection for Easter Sunday. I loved it!

    Reply

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