Humanity - defenceless, weak and small -
each solitary being comes, at birth,
into a hostile world where nothing's certain...
And are we born the slaves of random choice,
each yay or nay a footstep on a path
devoid of signposts? Do our infant minds
stagger through blind alleys without help
or guidance from another's hand? To learn
from each experience is slow,
like gleaning grains of wheat from fields of chaff,
and many times such lessons are not learned;
again, and yet again we falter. What purpose
underlies our struggles? Is satisfaction
ever to elude our grasp, a mirage
shimmering upon a far horizon -
the one true destination only death?
P.S. And in retrospect, they count as Day# 3 of NaPoRiMo - which I only started numbering on day # 5, even though I had been doing virtually one a day, anyway...
I think we've written the exact opposite sides of the same debate
ReplyDeleteMaybe you'd need to add a link, Emma? I can't find your opposite debate... But please note - the viewpoint I expressed here is not necessarily the one I hold myself! LOL
ReplyDeleteLOL...well done girl! But you need an image to go with!! Ha
ReplyDeleteHugs
SueAnn
Just for you - I've now added an image! :)
DeleteDo our infant minds
ReplyDeletestagger through blind alleys without help
or guidance from another's hand?
This poses the existential question in a very poetic way. Thanks for sharing these thoughts, Jinksy. They left me with something to think about.
Well constructed blank verse. I like the way you have posed the question without attempting an answer.
ReplyDeleteI like your thoughts on this question,I especially like the lines
ReplyDelete"To learn from each experience is slow,
like gleaning grains of wheat from fields of chaff," This is so true,,
And, that is the question!
ReplyDeleteyep, there it is. i like that wheat/chaff line, too.
ReplyDeleteWow, this is existential for sure. You rose to the challenge most ably.
ReplyDeleteFor me, satisfaction lies deep inside ~~ however, it took many years to realize that. Far too long it was a mirage. Nice write!!
ReplyDeleteIs satisfaction
ReplyDeleteever to elude our grasp, a mirage
shimmering upon a far horizon -
the one true destination only death?
A real existentialist statement! Loved this!
Well done, Jinksy! Not so much doleful as deep.
ReplyDeleteK
Love the image...fabulous and goes well with your words!! Love it
ReplyDeleteHugs
SueAnn
Would you believe, the image is part of my photo of bubbles in my washing up bowl?! Deep in a different way. LOL
DeleteGreat image, Is satisfaction ever to elude our grasp, a mirage shimmering upon a far horizon - the one true destination only death? Perhaps we humans were born to always be seeking...never really knowing the answers. You gave me much to think about.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed working the opposites with your lines, especially "like gleaning grains of wheat from fields of chaff"!
ReplyDeleteAdmirable response to the prompt. So many telling lines, not least among which is:
ReplyDeletelike gleaning grains of wheat from fields of chaff,
You've set out the essentials of existentialism very neatly indeed.
Jinksy, I love the way you explained the QUESTIONS of existentialism. In our church (UCC, Congregational), we pray that we love our questions as well as our answers. I'm right in line with any path that allows questions to be posed!
ReplyDeleteYour poem sounds almost like someone adrift, but still grounded in expression. Thanks, AMy
I feel our journey actually ends when we stop questioning, stop seeking. But answers do come, settle deep within ... but yes, it takes sooo long, and so many wrong turns. (I have a feeling you already know all this)
ReplyDeleteDo our infant minds
stagger through blind alleys without help
or guidance from another's hand?
That is the million dollar question :)