Who are we?

Answer this fundamental question

Who are we—you and me?

Are we just this hardware growing old?
Or the programs that do what’s told.

The wires and motors was once earth
The software was loaded at birth

With time, it learnt from data abound
And soon it made a horrendous sound

“I” came blaring out,
a chasm appeared
Between within and without.

Next came “you”, “this”, “that”,
Along with a million hats

I call myself a son, a friend, a lover
But it hides a trick that’s clever

Who is it that identifies,
Who is it that loudly cries?

What shall I answer?
Who are we—you and me?