I-am and no-I-am

I'm not what I was,

I won't be what I'm,

As I've changed from

What I was.

As I'm in perpetual change,

I'm somebody 

And nobody.

Yet, I'm what I was,

And I'll be what I'm,

As I retain my I-am-ness, 

Even though I change.

Born an infant

My grandpa died an old man.

So was I, and so will I. 

I'm only happy,

When I see this dual "I"

Without which neither I-am

Nor no-I-am

Is truly seen.

Upananda Thero Dedunupitiye

(Picture: By courtesy of www.tibetpictureswallpaper.net/)