Immigrant

Immigrant

I’m an immigrant

to Earth.

I’m not sure where I come from

But I’m sure I’m not from here.

Somewhere,

somehow,

some time before my birth,

I was squeezed into this body

and frankly, ever since

I’ve been trying to make sense

of what on earth

- or somewhere -

is going on;

what I’m meant to do,

what I’m meant to learn…

Maybe,

someday,

just around the corner,

just across the ether,

on the other side of life -

on the other side of doubt -

I’ll finally discover

what it’s all about.



Reviews

[Tai Ryens]

Upon finishing this piece, I've been struck with the realization that perhaps, we are akin to immigrants in the way we breathe our first independent breath of life upon birth. Although, it makes me think: how much different are we from Earth? We're all just collections of carbon and other elements that, through a stroke of significant events, have found ourselves alive and well (does it sound dismal and mellow? It's the most lovely thing imaginable).
I liked the train of thought that comes with this, not only mine, but yours as well; I'm curious to what chain of thoughts led to produce a piece like this. You've expressed yourself well indeed.

[RuthCalderMurphy]

Thank you Tai.

I just love how, every time I (we!) write poetry, and every time it's read, it opens up a whole new set of perspectives. With visual art, too, I love the way that the artist/writer has a certain train of thoughts, but that the piece will trigger new ones in everyone who reads or sees.

So, I very much enjoyed reading yours!

For me, there were several threads to my thoughts, which I'll sahre as you asked!

Firstly, the idea that "we're all star-stuff". As you say, linked by elements and molecules and DNA, materially inextricable. The fact that, bodily, we're not just connected with Earth; we ARE Earth.

Secondly, the fact that, however true that might be, we are unimaginably complex and that our "souls" (for want of a better word) seem, often, to be something other than the sum of our material parts.

Thirdly, it was a reflection on the fact that often, I just feel as though although I belong here 100%, I also don't. As though there's a bigger picture, somehow, that my physical mind can't grasp, but that perhaps - just perhaps - when my body shuts down, might become clear to that "other" bit; that soul... Perhaps, as material returns to material, so spirit returns to spirit... Or perhaps not. Perhaps I'll just shut down... But either way, those were my thoughts and feelings!

Thank you so much for commenting and for engaging in conversation!

[Tai Ryens]

Perhaps the bigger picture is that our lives, often less than 100 years lasting, is but a tiny smidgen left in the universe, of which has a lifespan of 13.7 billion years and counting. From a geological time span, Earth has roughly began forming 4.6-4.7 billion years ago, and the age of humanity estimated to be only a fraction of it: 2.6 million years ago (as scientific records date back to an ancestor able to be called human). Of the 2.6 million years, only, at estimate, six thousand years have been recorded, and the most precise history kept recorded only spans backwards a few hundred. That would mean our lives only experience a tiny fraction of 13.6 billion years.

Which intrigues me all the more: if the current theory is that no matter is destroyed, only converted into energy, then, would the bare elements required to spawn life have existed in their raw forms billions of years ago? The idea makes me shiver and squeal with enticement, and ponder if we are even capable of having souls if life as we know it could be tracked backwards to the rare and random but significant moment when amino acids and proteins began to form.

Likewise, I thank you kindly for reviewing and conversing and look forward to a thriving friendship between fellow writers.

[gladys aily]

God has brought you to the world simply because He has a good purpose for you! We are all immigrant in this world, anyway. And only God knows what our future will be. God bless and may your writings continually encourage new writers like me! :)

[RuthCalderMurphy]

:-) Thank you for reading and commenting, Gladys. I appreciate you.

[gladys aily]

And I'm inspired to do more poems because of you! 😊

[Sami Khalil]

Enjoy the journey...A wonderful write...:).................

[RuthCalderMurphy]

Thank you!

[Sami Khalil]

You are welcome...Any time...:)...............