Place and Identity

"If there is something to desire,
there will be something to regret.
If there is something to regret,
there will be something to recall.
If there is something to recall,
there was nothing to regret.
If there was nothing to regret,
there was nothing to desire."  

-Vera Pavlov

 Vera Pavlov is one of my favorite poets. Her work is vague, but there is always a clear message. Reading her work is like solving a puzzle. which is great because every literary piece should make the reader more intelligent.
   This poem holds special meaning to me, I found it while I was out of school the last two quarters. Fall quarter my financial aid was messed up, so I got dropped for non payment after two weeks. During that ten week period I worked full time at U.D.F, (United Dairy Farmers) which is a convenience store that tries to pass as an ice cream parlor. The identity that I had, and enjoyed, as a full time college student trying to make some money over the summer had ended. Now, all of a sudden I found myself wrapped up in this one lousy job to support myself until I could get back into school.
   That's when I found this poem. I desired my identity as a student again. After reading this I found inspiration to continue with my job knowing it was only temporary. With that knowledge I pressed on, and eventually found myself back in class.
   So with out even ever hearing the phrase "Place and Identity" I was very aware of how they had changed for me. The lesson that I learned from my break is that: identity and place are malleable. Everyone should strive to achieve an identity and place they're happy with. It might just be one of the secrets to success in life.

             -Michael