I am a man
Watching himself
Watch himself
A man
Reflecting upon
His life’s reflection
A man
Who was born many times
Once when he was given birth
Once when he found love
Once when he lost everything
And once when he finally learned
The meaning of it all
A man
Who has lived many times
Once when he survived childhood
Once when the rain didn’t stop
Once when all around was dust
And once when he realized
The race never began
A man
Who will die many times
Once when he sees the bright light
Once when they lay him down
Once when the pyre is lit
And once when his memory is lost
To all who knew him
That’s when
He’ll set sail
Across the ocean of time
Into which
Everything is absorbed
Beautifully articulated.
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Thank you!
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Very nice Holmes
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Wonderful, Satyen! I gotta be careful of what I put in the public domain – it comes back to haunt in beautiful ways! Loved how you brought the disparity of “many times” and “once” together – when the last “once” in each verse provides a finality to the verse. My attention was drawn particularly by:
And once when his memory is lost
To all who knew him
We frequently talk about dementia where “his memory is lost OF all who he knew” – nicely turned around into societal dementia!
Made my morning, as always!
-Aseem
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Thanks Aseem. I learned from the Disney/Pixar animated film Coco that in Mexican culture, they celebrate the Day of the Dead to keep memories alive, out of the belief that once a person is forgotten they are truly dead. I loved that film. It made an impression on me.
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Once a person is forgotten, they are truly dead- true statement!! Very nice poem, Holmes!!
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Love the very different meter (is it metre?)
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