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Open Poetry #41

The Second Greatest Gift

WindWalker
Senior Member

since 2001-10-12

Posts 1218

0 posted 2007-12-18 10:50 PM

We may invent any kind of trick or gimmick
to ignore, deny, or cheat old man death,
but still he remains here, right here
and at the appointed time (his, not ours) –
in humility or in pride, we’ll take his road.

We may search til the cosmic cows come home
and lay quietly down to chew their cud;
we may re-invent the quest for the fountain of youth
or fill our heads with arcane knowledge
and still we won’t have a clue
as to death’s identity, nor where he hails from.

The statistics are in: they say one out of one dies.
That being an unalterable fact, why fight it?
Why not replace fear of death with compassion?
Replace the taking of life with the giving of life?
For, wouldn’t you say it is fear of death
that makes us fight and kill one-another?

If I cannot prolong my own life,
let alone save it, however I try,
perhaps I can give to another
that which I cannot keep for myself
or even give to myself?

GG
Member Elite

since 2002-12-03

Posts 3532
Lost in thought

1 posted 2007-12-19 07:19 AM

Very wise words all the way through.
I agree. If only more of us would set ourselves aside and give life to the many fearful hearts out there. With hope there is no need to fear.

Great write!

~alyssa

Hupomeno.

Midnitesun

Member Empyrean

since 2001-05-18

Posts 28647
Gaia

2 posted 2007-12-19 09:15 AM

Smiling at your thought process.
Indeed, the act of GIVING is superior to the act of TAKING.
Yes, DEATH eventually wins the game, no matter what 'bottom-line numbers' we hold,
or what behavioral-skins we wear.

secondhanddreampoet
Member Ascendant

since 2006-11-07

Posts 6394
a 'Universalist' !

3 posted 2007-12-19 12:52 PM

effective 'write!
[points well taken as usual]

I am especially fond of:

"Why not replace fear of death with compassion (?!)"

applause!!

TomMark
Member Elite

since 2007-07-27

Posts 2133
LA,CA

4 posted 2007-12-19 01:26 PM

love the read. always good poems.
Tom

Marchmadness
Member Rara Avis

since 2007-09-16

Posts 9271
So. El Monte, California

5 posted 2007-12-19 11:26 PM

I love your poetry, WindWalker. Your honesty and straight forward manner appeals to me and always leaves me waiting for the next one.
Ida

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