An Unanswered Question

What tells us that we live?

Is it that passing of air between our lips?

Is it how we feel in moments our heart skips?

Could it perhaps be not a feeling at all?

But rather a scientific fact, underwhelming and small

Is it the affirmation of life when someone else dies?

That we still live on while they wait in the skies,

Is it fair to be taken without someone’s choice?

To even take it from those who don’t yet have a voice,

Do we find it important to actually live?

Or is it mundane, just a duty to give,

We say that it’s precious but let’s just beware

We create too much violence without seeming to care

A life without substance is said to be bland,

It must be a production, entertaining and grand

If you don’t have a car,

You won’t get as far,

If you don’t find a mate,

You won’t procreate,

All these lessons we learn,

And this money we earn,

At the end of the day ,

Is there that much to say?

Are we living at all?

Can we stay standing tall?

Is a life that’s worth living,

Really that fulfilling?

Does it end with a bang?

With a clash, pow and klang?

Or is it simple and tranquil?

Minus the funeral bill,

Will we learn to forget it?

Or remember every bit,

From the first till the last,

The future, present and past,

Do our hearts break and mend?

Does the pain ever end?

Are we far too obtuse,

To remain care-free and loose?

Will rules soon barge in?

Will we lose sight of our grin?

Is it what it once used to be?

A chance to live proud and free,

Or do we now shy away,

In attempt to obey.

Can we honestly that our lives are our own?

Free of influence, persuasion, and manipulative tone?

Will we know when we’ve reached our final goal?

Or is it felt within us, in the depths of our soul?

Though we’d like to save face,

To keep our honour and grace,

This question will persist,

And won’t accept ‘being missed’,

Though for this answer we strive,

Will we ever know what it means to be alive?

Reviews

[Emrick]

Nobody wants to know the reality. Truth will never be a good thing to mankind.It won't help.
An ancient wise guy said, you will know the meaning of money when you have none,you will know the meaning of health when you are ill and i believe the meaning of life is known only to those who have died.

[Hannah]

Thank you :)
You have a very apt understanding of life, it's a pleasure to read :)

[Mark]

An interesting philosophic ramble, this. A poem comprised of couplets is a hard form to address without becoming singsong or trite, but I think you have done so quite well. I wonder why the initial line is the only one not paired? And is your use of longer lines in the beginning at and the end an intentional device? If so, I might recommend setting off the "bridges" from the "chorus" with spaces, or italic, or a different font to make that device more apparent. Since the majority of the lines in the center section have six syllables, may I suggest that you tweak your syntax somewhat to cause the five and seven syllable lines to fall into line. An interesting piece, with a poignant message.

[Chris]

You lead a heady list of 'ponderables' down a page. Valid thoughts - solid issues. So many answers via personal choice and self-recognition.

Will come a time when sitting across from you at a table will be a... good morning.

[zainul]

You transformed a lively conversation as a wonderful poem.
Perhaps it is the foundation of a great ballad.
Enjoyed while trying to answer each question.
Thanks for sharing.

[Hannah]

Thank you very much, it was one of those common questions I thought would be interesting to write about... I'm touched that you think it could be the foundation of a ballad and I like that you tried to answer each question... Thank you for your kind words :)

[zainul]

You are always welcome,great poet.:)
I appreciate for asking questions that may be related by most readers.

[Horizons]

I'm flattered reading the poem you creatively created in a realistic way letting everyone tell what's life! What happens in a day (to day life)! what everyone wants to be! How everyone wants to live free from pain from baddies! Everything what's about life you've just penned it. It's real and filled with good words of heart, i liked your questioning you did in the poem which's now a big creation to know about life and analysing the way living the empty time of life. I really enjoyed the poem and it's even a great Rhyming poem seemed like a song. Structure of the write's well defined, I enjoyed much this poem, it made my day. Well done.

[Hannah]

Thank you so much! It was honestly a lot of fun to write, because I drew on my knowledge of different kinds of people I knew and it showed me how the meaning of life is so undefinable... I'm glad you identified with it :)

[Leavrah]

I love how you really captured the reality of it all. It's a question not many people think about. And the poem all together was beautiful. Very inspiring.

[Hannah]

Thank you very much :)

[Anna a. S.M.]

I think this is the question nobody can answer.
Great job! :)

[Hannah]

Thank you :)