The Self-Defense of Second-Hand Rose
Posted: Friday, January 20, 2012
by Ella Camp
“Who are you?” The question startled her with its direct blatant query. She thought for a moment- collecting the data of herself and forming it into a conscious summary.
The terrain unfamiliar, she began to speak slowly as the outline of whom she thought she was, related itself into review.
She spoke-
“My name is Roselyn, everyone calls me Rose- it is the name that my parents gave me at birth.”
“I am Susan and Bobby’s mom.”
“I am the car pool’s volunteer.”
“I am the doctor’s sister.”
“I am the well-known singer’s aunt.”
“I am the bookstore owner’s granddaughter.”
“I am the writer’s niece.”
“I am the high school teacher’s best friend.”
“I am the country club’s most stalwart member.”
“I am the famous designer’s regular clothes rack.”
“I am the star’s most ardent fan.”
“I am the supermarket’s best customer.”
‘I am the next door neighbor’s watchdog.”
“I am the Politian’s most loyal voter.”
“I am the author’s faithful reader.”
“I am the movie maker’s watcher.”
“I am the musician’s listener.”
She paused, unfinished, but weary of the unaccustomed narration of her life’s relative kinship.
“An interesting life resume, of impressive second-hand selves,” spoke the inquirer.
“Aside from the ephemeral statuses of these other selves, who are you?”
She pondered the question anew- seeking verification of her empirical steadfast self.
Upon identification of this, she spoke:
“I am SHE- who fulfills the questing needs of these others; which in turn, fulfills my own.”
Rose doesn’t have a second-hand heart.
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Top-level comments on this article: (7 total)Beautiful and intriguing, a gem unseen.
I love this! We are all so many parts and connections to others. And those various others form so much of who we are. And we form them! Beautiful!
Very nice. I suppose we are after all the sum of our parts. Those that we share with others and those that we don't. ha Good day.Aaah, I sense a tinge of disapproval,-which is but a manifestation of honesty-which I do prefer, and which you are good at providing...Thanks Dave,for always being you- Always Ella
This is at once despairing and also empowering. It depends on who you think you are, and what your purposes are. I loved this article.We must uncover and identify our real selves, beneath all the extra-cirricular paraphernalia of our lives.Like truth- it will rap at the door until we do.
Again I thank you so much Chris- A&F- Ella
I can understand where you are coming from. I can identify with Rose. My life is very similar to her's. Popeye said it best. I am all that I am and that is all that I am.
Very nice Ella!
Steve
Hi Ella.
Poignant and beautiful!
Thanks!
Hugs,
Dianne
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