Sonnet of Identity

Tell me O Mississippi,
What is my name?
For I lost my sense of self,
In line of service without gain.
Dear mountains of Blue Ridge,
Where did I come from?
I fathom not the worldly titles,
I deny narrowness as the norm.
Character makes the person,
Not pedigree and tradition.
If I can lift even five lives,
That’ll be my highest salvation.
So forget that I asked about my identity.
Service is my culture and my nationality.