What Determines “Life”?

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Open Poetry #37

What Determines “Life”?

WindWalker
Senior Member

since 2001-10-12

Posts 1218

0 posted 2006-04-28 09:25 PM

An abandoned plastic bag
dances ‘round and ‘round
in the Autumn breeze:
Is there life in this dance?

No, some would assert –
life begins at the biological level
or they’ll say it begins
in the realm of self-motivation.

This begs the question:
what is “self-motivation”?
Is the wind not self-motivated?
Movement and air – movement with air –
and air gives life:
can something “dead” instill life?

It’s easy to buy into facile explanations:
easy to think of “life”
as not being part of what is consumed;
what we ingest, step on, build with:
If we do not know life at its basic source
we don’t have to feel responsible
for destroying a “lifeless” world, do we?

If we knew “all of it” as life,
we could interact with it all
as if it was all a part of ourselves
we could be empathic;
but wouldn’t that destroy
the basic assumptions required
to live the life we currently enjoy?
Wouldn’t that tend to spoil
the fun and the games?

Yet, is it not true that our fun and games
are destroying this world?
When it’s dead and gone,
where will we be?
Miraculously moved into another game?
Or simply very dead and very gone?

J@red
Junior Member

since 2006-04-28

Posts 12
Alabama

1 posted 2006-04-28 09:39 PM

The paper bag imagery...did you get that from American Beauty?

Superman isn't brave, he is invulnerable.

The Lady
Member Rara Avis

since 2005-12-26

Posts 7634
The Southwest

2 posted 2006-04-28 10:49 PM

"This begs the question:
what is “self-motivation”?"

Excellent write WindWalker. A real puzzle.

ThisDiamond
Member Rara Avis

since 2002-02-22

Posts 9353
Michigan, USA

3 posted 2006-04-28 11:18 PM

The native people believed everything had a spirit...their explanation was simple and complete. You brought me back to harmony and understanding.
You are quite good at that.
TD

BROTHER JOHN
Member

since 2006-04-06

Posts 386

4 posted 2006-04-29 12:25 PM

Dear WindWalker,

I agree. Keep it up!!!!

Debo
Member

since 2006-04-18

Posts 321
Texas U.S.A.

5 posted 2006-04-29 02:11 AM

Wonderfully written with a thought provoking story line. I think we would be very dead and very gone!!!
I thank you for the message this poem gave to me.

Debo

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