Poetry Friday: “What Am I?”

I have to thank Father Goose, Charles Ghigna, for helping me decide what poem to post today. He doesn’t even realize he helped me.

A few days ago, I was reading a poem he posted at his blog and I had to smile.  It was remarkably similar to a poem I wrote way back when I was in high school! Having just written a blog post about graduation, life, and the ‘problem’ with experience, I had been considering posting something I wrote as a student.

Charles made up my mind for me!

I don’t recall exactly when this was written…but it was somewhere between 10th and 12th grade, which would put it in the 1982-85 range. Like Charles’, this is also a riddle poem. Unlike Charles’, this was written by a 15 or 16-year-old – so there’s not a whole lot of polish on it. Come to think of it, I’m not sure there’s anything I wrote prior to this that anyone would even want to see!

See if you can figure out the answer, but don’t post it; that way, others can try to figure it out. (I don’t think it’s that hard – but then again, I already know the answer!) I’ll post the answer in the ‘Comments’ section on Monday, so be sure to check back.

“What Am I?”

I’m part of the trees, but don’t make up wood;
I stay in the city, for I know I should.
People say I’m in metal (well, that’s what I’m told)
But I’m not part of iron – or brass, bronze, or gold.
Now that we’re finished, I’ll say just one more thing:
I’ve helped make a knight, but never a king!

– Matt Forrest Esenwine, circa 1982-85

Looking for more poetry? Find more Poetry Friday offerings at ‘Carol’s Corner!’

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