Ernesto P Santiago: Riddle Me Out

I’m known to all, in public 

or in secret, and I’m embedded 

to the wall of my republic

in the shadow of the dead.

If my memory is erased 

or stolen, my life's existence, 

from the heaven of grace 

after the death of essence,

could be easily undone 

like a subject to be received 

for without a name to man,

what on earth will I give?

Like immortals that came 

before me, I contained the full 

senses of self, sodden with a flame

of power many loved to fool.

And whoever possessed 

what I always kept in me, 

they held authority or a crest

over my breath entirely.

I had grown like the sun, 

and as I moved  through the day, 

in my heart I carried my man

who always knew how to obey!