What a wonderful world

I have seen but a few days,
but I can interpret inverted omens;
I recognize the injustice of infirmity,
and the denouncement of innocence;
how the body becomes a hole
for worms to slither through,
how the soul becomes an abyss
of nightmares and entrapment.
I know the smell of lifeless blood,
and of ghost breaths still clinging to hope,
the emptiness that comes with accepting
your own demise,
how drugs only make love to vanity
when misfortune befalls.
I know how fruitless is faith
in the face of adversity,
how mindless is the proclivity of
awaiting a divine intervention.


But I'm also aware of the laws of restoration-
the panacea for the liberation
from this concrete world,
of sacred kaleidoscope geometrics of healing,
that lie behind the curtains of chaos and pain.
I have known how to live with intention,
and walk on the edge,
to play with abandon, and
make choices with no regrets.
I know that although with time,
I may descend into nothingness,
aliquots of me shall
be infinitely immortal
within this timeless landscape,
living on,
as pieces within people and places
whom I touched in life.

Author's Note

I wrote this after reading Dostoyevsky's celebrated novel, "The Brothers Karamazov."
But I think this fits in well with the pandemic that we are facing currently. My heart goes out to all the people who have fallen victim to the deadly virus. I'm not a religious person, I won't pray for them, but as a doctor, I am trying my hardest to help them. And I want to urge everyone who reads this to stay home and stay safe.
I don't believe in life after death, I think the world ends for you when you die. But we can honor the memories of our loved ones, and remember them in our hearts, and that makes them somewhat immortal. The essence of a person is not merely his existence, it is that he is capable of connecting to another person, and can make life better for someone else. When we remember the ones who aren't here with us anymore, we honor that part of their being, their ability to still make us feel much happier about life, and to me, that sounds more desirable than being stuck in a purposeless afterlife.

Here is a passage from the novel that I especially like--

“But then, what about the children?” [asked Ivan] “How will we ever account for their sufferings? For the hundredth time I repeat, there are many questions that could be asked, but I ask you only one–about the children–because I believe it conveys fully and clearly what I am trying to tell you. Listen, even if we assume that every person must suffer because his suffering is necessary to pay for eternal harmony, do still tell me, for God’s sake, where the children come in. I can understand the concept of solidarity in sin and also solidarity in retribution. But how can there be solidarity in sin with small children?” …

“I want to dissociate myself from it all; I have no wish to be a part of their eternal harmony. It’s not worth one single tear of the martyred little girl who beat her breast with her tiny fist, shedding her innocent tears… It’s not worth it, because that tear will have remained unatoned for. And those tears must be atoned for; otherwise there can be no harmony. But what could atone for those tears? How it possible to atone for them? By avenging them perhaps? But whom would vengeance help? What good would it do to send the monsters to hell after they have finished inflicting their suffering on children? How can their being in hell put things right? Besides, what sort of harmony can there be as long as there is a hell? To me, harmony means forgiving and embracing everybody, and I don’t want anyone to suffer anymore. … And if I am right, if they cannot forgive, what harmony can there be? Is there one single creature in the whole world who could forgive or would have the right to do so? … It isn’t that I reject God; I am simply returning Him most respectfully the ticket that would entitle me to a seat.”

Also, I don't mean to spark off a debate with anyone. Times like these require us to stick together, and respect others, even those whose views might be different from us, and so I would deeply appreciate it if you don't argue about the difference between your views and mine, and instead just enjoy for the poem.

Reviews

[Robert Trakofler]

So many gems in this one Moon... this is I think one of your finest! I have just written a poem about much of what you said here and your observances are so consonant to mine it is so striking in the contrast of these stanzas painting it a vivid expression:) This wonderful writing has indeed left a piece of you immortal placed upon my witness!
how drugs only make love to vanity!
and of ghost breaths still clinging to hope!
living on,
as pieces within people and places
that my heart resides in,
sigh
sigh
sigh
lovely!!!!!!!!

[Moonie]

Thank you so much!! I would love to read that poem of yours!

[Robert Trakofler]

oops I think I deleted it:( sorry I honestly cant remember the title anymore LOL I have so many poems on my hard drive:)

[Rania M]

Reading your words I am acutely aware of the negative and positive sides of existence and how crucial it is to bring on a balance. Whether one believes in religion or not, the basic tenets of humanity remain the same and you state them beautifully here!

[Moonie]

Thank you for the beautiful review! ♡

[Neville]

This is nothing like I was expecting when I first saw the title you had assigned … it is far greater and more... and thoroughly enjoyed … I take my hat off to ya.. Stay safe and stay well my friend.

Neville

[Moonie]

Thank you soo much. I feel overwhelmed! ♡
I am still debating on whether to change the title though, because it doesn't do the poem much justice.

[Einstein Noodle]

it truly is a wonderful world ... we make our choices that enhance or diminish ;) difficult not to respond to a non-faith theology .. but i bite me tongue young lady! we have known each other for quite a while haven't we?! i don't recall knowing that all the time you have been studying .. that it was towards working as a Physician ... well done!! our bodies are built to break down after a point .. and death a constant companion ... the fear and sting of it are a breaking fog when faced and accepted ... its bravery to move on with joy and firm conviction in spite of it ... Faith is hope ... same same

[Moonie]

Thank you soo much, E! I appreciate the reticence :))
Yepp, I'm finally out of med school ;)) and have started my internship in Internal medicine!

[Einstein Noodle]

big congrats Moon Child! ;) i feel proud of you actually :))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))) tho we only know one another ... right here at the Cafe" :))

[Patricia Wedel]

I feel that every babyy born has a spirit that only leaves
their body when eventually they pass on. There is more to
heaven and earth than we can ever imagine. Only very gifted people, such as you,
should become doctors. To have an open mind to
the possibilities of the Spirit is a gift that is free to all.
None of us want to die to possibly discover the unknown.
I am truly grateful to all the gifted people who make our World more
comfortable and beautiful. truly with love, Pat

[Moonie]

Thank you so much for the beautiful review, Pat!!♡

[Chris Shaw]

Moon's fairest daughter, let me thank you for both your poetry and for your work as a Doctor. The best thing we can do to help our health professionals is to stay at home. When I read your lines, what struck me most is how small we are in the overall picture and how cruel life can be. I lost my faith sometime ago. Yes, how fruitless is faith in adversity., what will be will be. Times like these make me appreciate the good in people and emphasise that family and friends are so precious. Yes, we will leave our mark in the relationships we formed on this planet. Keep safe and know you are appreciated.

Chris

[Moonie]

Thank you so much! ♡♡
Always look forward to your reviews, ma'am!

[Chris Shaw]

You are welcome dear poet. Take care.