Essence

There are those who walk the earth

and those lying beneath it

There are those in between

You'll find them above the ground

But not walking

Often, not talking

Feeling constant pain 

or the ache of not feeling at all

Trapped inside a body

It's so affecting how quickly

something becomes nothing

The way impulses conduct brainwaves

instructing hands that build machines

commanding trees to become caskets

which become frames around bodies

pretending to be living

until it's all buried where six feet under

everything is nothing

but earth


Life may be no more than
Experiences affecting perceptions
And I don't even want to be alive
So why are we discussing existence

Reviews

[David Scott]

The explorations of philosophy begin here indeed. I remember this struggle from my own experiences in my twenties. It is a good conversation to have with one's self and with others.
You write, "It's so affecting how quickly something becomes nothing", and I think this was the epitome of your write to me. Yet I instantly considered in my own thoughts while I was reading how equally affecting it is to consider how quickly nothing becomes something...
I loved the read!

[Lizzie Mitchell]

That was actually the first line I thought of when creating this piece. I was reflecting on the day I had. I'm in nursing school and I had to take care of patients who were fatally ill. One man had cancer in his lungs, brain, and spinal cord. One had a freshly amputated leg. One lady was merely anxious sitting in her room, praying because she had no idea what was happening to her or why she was in the hospital. It made me realize all the problems I was stressing about could be totally non-existent and that wouldn't necessarily make my life any better. I was running around pulling my hair out because my crazy instructor was forcing me to take care of patients I hadn't yet learned how to take care of. And still I didn't have to stay confined to a bed. I had a choice of what to eat at lunch time. I wasn't in so much pain that I couldn't talk or had to press a button over and over again to shoot bursts of momentary relief into my veins. I can't even imagine having the hope to stay alive in that state. But would I be thinking about these people at all if I wasn't taking care of them? Would I even remember people like that existed?

[David Scott]

I am a care provider myself. I grew up visiting the hospital with my father who is still practicing surgery to this day... I understand what you are saying here.
The answer is yes and no. Life changes and your perspective changes like a spiraling recognition on an all too fast merry-go-round.
It is good for you to see others when you are feeling so pressed. This is one of life's greatest gifts, to see others and empathize with them. It is a sign of maturity. Empathy is an essential quality, forming a character worthy of eternity.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts Lizzie.

[Lizzie Mitchell]

thank you!

[Ilerah]

Great poem, really full of good word choices and so good. I love reading and writing poems and this one is very good.

[Lizzie Mitchell]

thank you!

[Ilerah]

Your Welcome always willing to give comments, read a few of your other poems they are fantastic also.

[Jamestown]

Great piece with a mountain of truth! Thanks for sharing and b-blessed!

[Lizzie Mitchell]

thank you so much