Pillars of Sand

This is a thought experiment that leads into an existential question that by no means should be a final answer, or maybe, just maybe might be.

Pillars of Sand

By

Carlos Lorenzo Estrada 

In a Sea of sand we find a contrasting correlation of equal measure.

A reflection of malleable unity that echoes our existential purpose.

It is moved to shape by sea, and wind, conforming to nature's will.

It is hardened by sun and cold; immovable into solidified structure.

Each granular speck myriad and individual in its objective design.

A formed community in unity in a landscape of endless desert and shore.

Yet it takes flight upon Bird's wing to reach the blue of horizon.

Or rides upon the fur of beasts to travel further distance.

It is bound and unbound to the world it exists in.

Much like us in flesh.

We are pillars of sand.

We are stronger when unified in singular purpose.

In community we give shape to vastness of cities and structures.

Nature controls our fate and we are prisoner to her will.

She shapes our world by her laws which bind us.

We take flight upon wings of our own making.

And ride the open plains upon the backs of beasts we have broken.

Burn our flesh we become sand, bury us and we are dirt.

We transform into the Earth we tread upon.

We are pillars of sand.

And of the universe which we ourselves reside.

The infinite of worlds and stars and galaxies.

Unexplained and unexplored, these places where imagination wanders.

What composition defines their origins and to what purpose.

Enigmas of particles transcendent in exalted imagery.

Rapturous starlight dancing across the black silhouette

The eye of the cosmos which paints the face of God

Perpetual unending in its ingenious amorphous design.

But in the end expounds inevitable answer

With a truth we know to be true.

We are all pillars of sand...

We are pillars of sand. 

Author's Note

Thank you for reading this work. Feel free to comment and leave your thoughts.

Reviews

[Shelley Warner]

I love the imagery. I love the repetition, "We are pillars of sand." Yes, we are all interconnected. As Hillary Clinton would say, "It takes a village."

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you, Shelley, for your thoughts on this work. From a minute speck of sand to the great expanse of the universe we are born of these things. Each have purpose and meaning. And all are reliant on one another. A symbiotic unity that defines meaning and life. We weave through the laws of nature but make no mistake are governed by her. Her reach is even beyond this world. And we are but pillars of sand in the face of her beauty. Thank you again for your comment as well as the art you share about your experience with nature.

[Shelley Warner]

Yes, the vastness of the universe that encompasses every grain of sand on earth, and more, is stunning. And yet each grain of sand has significance, along with all nature, as you said.

[Dave Brown]

very impressive piece of work
for some reason it leads me to the concept of evolution and how life changes to adapt to whatever new conditions take place and how man seems to be outpacing evolution and the mess it is causing,
Probably not at all what you had intended but it is still too early to think deeply, if in fact, I ever do.

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you, Dave, for reading and your thoughts on this work. Nice thing about art is that it can mean different things to different minds. I can totally see your perspective on how you see this poem. With evolution driving us further and faster forward and an uncaring society oblivious to the laws of nature will eventually be consumed by them for their hubris. Mother nature controls our evolution not man. I can totally see that. Thank you again for your thoughts my friend.

[Poetic Beauty]

I love the connection of how humans are similar to grains of sand. I also love all the many directions one grain of sand can go and by different modes of travel.

The imagery and the creativeness is endless with thought on this poem.

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you, PB, for your insightful comment on this work. We are tethered to this world by the grip of nature. Even as we seek possibilities of further reaches in the expanse of the universe what sand awaits us there. And what new form of nature shall meet us. We are particles bound and unbound by nature whether on this planet or another. But in our imaginings we fly and travel to places beyond comprehension to be seen by the eye of creation itself. Mortal , hubris, creative, intelligent, dare to dream greater then ourselves. Despite the limits of our nature. Thank you again.

[Patricia Wedel]

dear Carlos... when we think of the Pyramids of Egypt and all that was accomplished...
we realize that the Sands of Time has left many clues as to how ingennuous they must have been.
We are only on Earth a short time. However, the Moon and Stars seem to assure us that there is a Universe
that gives us a sense of propriety. gently, Pat

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you, Pat, for your comment. The mysteries of the pyramids. What fascinates me most is the fact they are multicultural and exists throughout the world. What power and hidden truth has yet to be revealed from them? The ingenuity and perfection of each stone block and precise location and direction boggles the mind. How did they have the ability to move these tons of rock slabs through jungles, grassy hilled plains, and desert sands still is an enigmatic mystery. Yet these monoliths stand as a testament to time and the perplexing puzzle yet to be solved completely. Perhaps we are never meant to know. Only the earth and sand. Thank you again for your thoughts and words.

[John Prophet]

WOW sophisticated writing and spot on expose.
Quite the talent you have!

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you, John. I appreciate the comment on this writing. Recently in a review of a new writer's work they had mentioned the fact that their poem was of a rambling of thought. I told them art is created from such beautiful ramblings. We simply need to harness it. Like capturing lightning in a bottle. Meld and pliant toward the will of our thoughts. I wanted to paint the universe to its smallest defining quality viewable to the eye in order to give enlightenment toward the immensity of its entire sublime beauty. To know we are born of these things. Thank you again for reading this work my friend.