I was standing in the night
With shadows fallen over all
Questioning who I am
When I saw a flame
Brief it was
I strained to see a figure
Standing beneath a tree
Bringing a cigarette to his lips
But I could not see his face
I was about to turn
Seeking solitude not company
When a voice came
“Why do you question?”
I paused for a moment
Thinking he was speaking to himself
Again he spoke
“You know who you are
Why the questions?
Have you learned nothing?
I thought you were better than this
But then again
Maybe you don't really change”
Startled, I could not speak
His jacket reflecting the moon
He seemed so strange
Yet so familiar
“It must be your nature
No matter how I dislike it”
So arrogant
Thinking he knew me
Thinking he knew anything
My struggles
My pain
His youth showed
In his bold speech
I simply stared at this figure
A phantom in the night
After one long drag
Inhaling deeply the smoke
As he exhaled
He spoke
“The past never dies”
Confused I turned to leave
I spoke as I turned
“I am who I am right now”
But as I turned
I saw another in the dark
Leaning over
Staring at the stars
I could only see his shape
Light reflected from his cane
With a silver dragon
Shining in the darkness
I was so shocked
I stood silent
Then he spoke
With a voice of age
Filled with the wisdom of years
“You're both so hasty
So head strong
What do you really know?”
This though
Came with a gentleness
That comes from experience
An old man
Reflecting to himself
On such a strange night
I couldn't help but wonder
Did I know this man?
So many years my senior?
Then came his voice again
“Someday you'll understand
But then again
Maybe you'll only realize
That you can never know”
Puzzled I was
Like a riddle
Spoken from the heart
That I knew all too well
He shifted slightly
And gave his parting words
“But who will I be?”
I turned to ponder this odd event
But when I looked
They were both gone
And as I pondered
I reflected on the familiar
The unknown
The thing I would never know
And the words came together
Past
Present
Future
Were such a constant blend
Yet so distinct
Sudden realization
I heard my own voice
Clearly this time
Speaking through it all
“The past never dies
I am who I am right now
But who will I be?”
