Am I the sum of my parts or am I a part of the sum?

 Am I the sum of my parts or am I a part of the sum?

I have said this time and time again,

The last time, I remember not when,

‘If the world is my oyster, then why do I taste clams?’

Many times rose I, like the Phoenix from the fire.

Each time rising higher, yet higher

Love encountered not once, but thrice

Only to be shattered like crystalline ice

Mistakes made and dues well paid, cobblestone pathways thru life laid

To reminisce and look to ‘before’ serves no purpose, not now, nor evermore

Love of thy self with appreciation of coming of days.

Realizations of behaviors complicated ways.

Gives birth to living meaningful days.

A better soul overstands past ways.

What lays beyond for all plus I.

A mystery obscured by phantom gray skies

Deep thought wrought plans late into night

Leaving one to manifest life’s delight.

With hope of existence in better ways.

I hear a voice within me say …

“Am I the sum of my parts or am I a part of the sum of the part?"