The Man What Am

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  • Fantasy

    Poem Commentary

    The phrase "the man what am" popped into my mind a while back and I was sure that I had heard it somewhere in the distant past. I researched it and all I could find was a 1950's song written by Irving Berlin entitled Sam, Sam (The man what am). Thanks to Irving.

    The Man What Am

     

    Somewhere in a far off distant land

    resides the character known as the man what am

    A strange and mysterious person he is for sure

    as both his origin and purpose remain obscure.

     

    All dressed in grey with hair of white

    When seen in public he is quite a sight

      He most often appears in the village square

    With children converging from everywhere

     

    He entertains with stories and songs

    While the children listen and sing along

    He taps his foot, never a beat to miss

    His song is simple and goes like this

     

    $ I am the man what am, I am $

      $ Of that you can be sure $

    $ I’ve lived a thousand years or more $

    $ A fact one can’t ignore $

    $ My ears can hear an angel’s sigh $

    $ My eyes can see through steel $

    $ I’ve ridden rainbows across the sky $

    $ And given birth to the beau ideal $

    $ My father was the sun my mother the moon $

    $ The sky my cradle at birth $

    $ I fear not death as I am immune $

    $ I am one with this place called Earth   $

     $ So listen to my song and dream of sweet jam $

    $ And we’ll fill this world with mirth $

    $ And with that thought in mind dear friends $

    $ So ends this song of the man what am $

     

    Once when a child brought forth an injured bird

    All were amazed as a miracle occurred

    The man what am took the bird in hand

    And whispered words no one could understand

     

    He raised his hand and held the bird on high

    And it took flight in the evening sky

       The bird soared and swooped wings strong and stout

    It was a magic sight there was no doubt 

     

    As was his way as the sun began to set

    He would fade into the shadows like a silhouette

    His white hair flowing as he bids goodbye to them

    All left in awe of the man what am

     

    ©Copyright Charlie Gragg June 8, 2010   

     

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    Hiporlacking commented on The Man What Am

    07-12-2010

    I dug not only the content but the flow of this piece.

    Hampton

    07/12/2010

    Thanks, I appreciate your visit as well as your comment.

    devaamido commented on The Man What Am

    07-10-2010

    Clearly a mightily described portrait patterned after one of the Old Testament Patriarchs (Samuel?). Dr Suess has a character named "Sam-I-Am" but he bares little resemblance to the archetype you describe.

    Hampton

    07/10/2010

    Your comments are always appreciated.

    Merlyn commented on The Man What Am

    06-27-2010

    I really like it. It has a very nice flow. Enjoyable story. Thank you for sharing.

    Hampton

    06/27/2010

    It was a fun write. Thanks for your comments.

    dahlusion commented on The Man What Am

    06-15-2010

    A powerful and creative take on the Biblical line: I AM THAT I AM. This is another lovely tale from the cells of your mind. Bravo!

    Hampton

    06/15/2010

    Thanks for the comment and the biblical reference. I was not aware. I appreciate your visits and your always insightful illuminations.

    DrewMcNee commented on The Man What Am

    06-13-2010

    How on earth do you remember this, you rascal. Irving indeed. And with all due respect to him, your bookends work better. Drew.

    Hampton

    06/13/2010

    Many thanks. Nice of you to say.

    The true philosopher and the true poet are one, and a beauty, which is truth, and a truth, which is beauty, is the aim of both.

    Ralph Waldo Emerson, American Poet (1803-1882)

    Hampton’s Poems (111)

    Title Comments
    Title Comments
    Searching 5
    The Poetess 14
    Nonsense 12
    Solitude 18
    Lame Limericks 14
    Message to Papa 15
    Young Jimmy O’Fallon 11
    The Computer From Hell 18
    Life Ain’t for Sissies 16
    The Mind In Motion 13
    The Game of Poetry 9
    Silence 55
    WordSlinger 19
    Holiday Thoughts 12
    Sweet Mary 18
    From White to Grey to Black 19
    The Reckoning 12
    And All of That Jazz 16
    Today 25
    No Offense, Just My Opinion 16
    Lucky 10
    You’re Only as Old as You Feel 13
    Saturday Night 13
    Political Change? 14
    The Female Gender 17
    I’m In Charge Here, Aren’t I? ( With Epilogue) 10
    I’m In Charge Here, Aren’t I? 7
    Remembering 11
    This Web We Weave 13
    The End 16
    The Day the Clouds Cried 16
    The Path of Life 12
    My Mother Ruth 12
    Forever–ast
    er
    11
    Humanities Challenge 14
    A Cowboy's Perspective 12
    July in Buda Texas 14
    The OP Poets Parade 20
    The Chatelaine 12
    Shot Through the Heart 17
    Poetry and Fine Wine 18
    The Man What Am 10
    The Final Beat of My Heart 16
    The Rainbow of Poets 19
    A Cowboy's Lament 13
    Of This World I am Not 17
    The Wee People 19
    An Evening at an Irish Pub 15
    The Scent of Love 14
    Fresh News from Buda Texas 16
    Memories of Times Past 13
    The Dance of the Poets 20
    The Confession 14
    Road to Obscurity 18
    Barbara 14
    Shadows 15
    Prescience 17
    Words That Bind 54
    Wondering 26
    New Year News from Buda Texas 13
    We Are All Witnesses 16
    Christmas 25
    A Cowboy’s Prayer 29
    The 9 ers 24
    Love Defined 27
    Tis a Time to Give Thanks 21
    More News From Buda Texas 26
    Choices 26
    News from Buda, Texas 21
    In Search of God 21
    Writers of Poems (WOPs) 26
    Out of the Darkness 15
    Visions from Within the Mist 18
    Baseball 12
    The Night Stalker 16
    The Man I Presume to be Buck 16
    The Sounds of Time 17
    The Little Man in the Green Hat 18
    Blah Blah Blah 14
    One Two Three 13
    Carpe Viam 11
    Love in the Afternoon 13
    The Moth 14
    Lost & Dungeons of the Mind 11
    The Creative Process 19
    The Truth and the Tribe 19
    The Long Wait. 19
    Feathers 26
    The Arrow 14
    Take Two Cialis and Call Me in the Morning 26
    Ghostly Images 16
    Friends 11
    Angels Without Wings 20
    IN MY OWN WORDS 13
    The Rider 16
    Pride and Shame 18
    The Winning Poet is.... 21
    Memories 13
    Politicians 67
    Your Mailbox Is Empty 18
    God's Visit 17
    Poets and Poems 20
    Love Thy Neighbor 13
    Renewal 8
    The Roar of Silence 17
    Blessed Are These Days 4
    Time and Space 5
    Life's Journey 8
    Gift To The Fallen 16
    Hunger 21
    The Antique Shop 30