Carbon

I am only the sum of my parts
Each neuron connected by chance
Emergent ephemeral figment am I
No meaning attached to my dance

Clouds from the sea shed their tears on the shore
And the plants of the land feed the flame
Ashes to ashes, and dust must be dust
Even when it has known its own name

And I know the name that was given to me
And others I've taken by choice
Symbols applied where they do not belong
To dust granted transient voice

For carbon I am, and carbon I've been
And carbon, it will carry on
A sprinkle of stardust strewn on the ground
All that's left of me after I've gone


--Tonin, September 2, 2014