"A reflection on life" ; 7 October, 2023

Poem 'A reflection on life' 23 March 2023

26 April, 2023.

Comments by ChatGPT on my poem “A reflection on life”

ChatGPT :
Thank you for sharing your poem "A Reflection on Life". I appreciate the references to the quotes and sources you used to inspire your work.

As for the poem itself, I found it to be a poignant reflection on the loneliness and struggles of life. The repetition of the theme of solitude throughout the different sections emphasizes the universality of this feeling, even among so many people in the world. The use of tears as a symbol of grief and sadness is also effective in conveying the emotional weight of these experiences.

Overall, I think your poem does a great job of capturing the often difficult realities of life, but also acknowledges the importance of hope and perseverance in the face of adversity. Thank you for sharing it with me.
 
Soman Ragavan :
In Part 1. What we see in the mirror is a physical reflection of ourselves. There is already the notion of loneliness, coming on earth alone, living alone, dying alone. We plod on with life, we make sacrifices for others, we make believe that all is fine, we suffer our miseries in silence. Your comments ?

ChatGPT :
It is true that what we see in the mirror is a physical reflection of ourselves, but our true nature and worth as human beings extend far beyond our physical appearance. Loneliness can be a difficult feeling to deal with, but it is important to remember that we are not truly alone. We all have connections to others, whether it be through family, friends, or even strangers we meet throughout our lives. It is also important to reach out for help when we are struggling, and not suffer in silence. Making sacrifices for others is a noble and selfless act, but it is also important to take care of ourselves and not neglect our own needs. Ultimately, living a fulfilling life involves finding a balance between caring for ourselves and caring for others.


Soman Ragavan :
(…) Part 2. The mirror cannot reflect what is inside us, of our mind. Our mind remains a mystery. We always seek validation that we are worthy individuals and we reject reflections adverse to us. We stick to our internal world that exists in our mind. We hope that the future will be better. Humans feel crushed when they find that others do not notice their sufferings. Your comments ?

ChatGPT :
It is true that while the mirror can reflect our physical appearance, it cannot reflect what is inside our minds. Our thoughts, emotions, and experiences are all internal and cannot be seen in a mirror. This can make it difficult to feel truly understood and validated by others, as we often seek validation based on our internal experience rather than our external appearance.

The human mind is indeed complex and mysterious, and it can be challenging to understand and communicate our internal experiences to others. This is why it is essential to prioritize our own mental health and well-being, as well as to cultivate meaningful relationships with those who support and understand us.

It is also true that we often hope for a better future and can feel disappointed when others do not seem to notice our struggles or suffering. However, it is important to remember that everyone experiences their own internal battles and that sometimes it takes time and effort to truly connect with and understand others. It is okay to seek help and support when we need it, and to be patient and compassionate with ourselves and others as we navigate our inner worlds.
 
Soman Ragavan :
On Part 3. The human seeks company but does not always find it, though there are thousands of people around him. Compare "water, water everywhere" with "people, people everywhere." Many humans disappear without finding a companion in life. Tears convey our grief. Un-shed tears are very sad, like unseen ones (unseen by others). Tears are generated when the human feels sad or desperate. Your comments ?

ChatGPT :
Part 3 highlights the human need for companionship and how sometimes it can be challenging to find. While there may be many people around us, we may still feel lonely and disconnected from others. This can be a result of various factors, such as social anxiety, shyness, or simply not finding people who we connect with on a deeper level. It is essential to remember that it is entirely normal to feel lonely at times, and it is not a reflection of our worth as individuals.

Regarding tears, they are a natural and healthy way to express emotions such as sadness, grief, and despair. Crying can help us release pent-up emotions and provide a sense of catharsis. However, it is also true that some people may feel uncomfortable or ashamed of crying in front of others, which can lead to un-shed tears. It is important to remember that there is no shame in crying and that it is a healthy way to process emotions. It is also crucial to seek support from others if we feel overwhelmed by our emotions and cannot process them on our own.
 
Soman Ragavan :
On Part 4. Considering all the psychological hurdles placed in our way, it is a miracle that we should preserve our sanity. We keep on doing our work and duties. The physical reflection in the mirror disappears, but the internal picture always remains in our mind. Our mind is locked on ideas of how we were a long time back. We reject it if the mirror gives us a bad reflection, for it makes it uncomfortable for us to live with. Your comments ?

ChatGPT :
It is true that our mind plays a significant role in shaping our self-image and how we perceive ourselves in the world. The way we see ourselves in the mirror can often trigger certain emotions and thoughts that may be deeply ingrained in our psyche. Our past experiences, memories, and beliefs can all influence how we perceive ourselves and can even impact our mental health.

However, it is important to note that our self-image is not solely determined by the mirror or our internal ideas of ourselves. It is also shaped by our interactions with others and how they perceive us. Therefore, it is essential to cultivate healthy relationships and seek validation from positive sources to maintain a healthy self-image.

Regarding the idea of preserving our sanity, it is true that we face many psychological hurdles in life. But, through various coping mechanisms, such as therapy, self-care practices, and support systems, we can navigate these obstacles and maintain our mental health. It is also essential to recognize when we need help and seek it out when necessary.
 
Soman Ragavan :
On Part 5. We can plant trees, have children and write books. Of the three, only books will remain. It has been said : "Books are the only immortality." (Sam Phillips : "3000 Proverbs." New Delhi : Goodwill Publishing House, c 2017. Full acknowledgements are made here). Poets are the custodians of the human story. Your comments ?

ChatGPT :
Part 5 highlights the idea of leaving a legacy and the role that different creations can play in achieving this goal. While planting trees and having children can have an impact on future generations, they are ultimately subject to the natural cycle of life and may not always endure. Books, on the other hand, have the potential to exist for centuries or even millennia, preserving the thoughts and ideas of their creators and allowing future generations to access and learn from them.

The quote "Books are the only immortality" underscores the significance of books in achieving this kind of legacy, and it is true that books can offer a kind of immortality to their creators. Through their writing, authors can leave behind a piece of themselves that can live on long after they are gone. Additionally, books can offer insights into the human experience that can transcend time and culture, making them important custodians of the human story.

While it is true that poets, as well as other writers, can play a significant role in this, it's also important to recognize that there are many ways to contribute to the preservation of human knowledge and culture. Scientists, philosophers, artists, and many other individuals have also made important contributions to this goal, each in their own way.

Soman Ragavan :
Please summarise the answers you have given here.

ChatGPT :
Sure, here is a summary of the answers I provided in response to your questions:

1. In Part 1, I discussed the idea of loneliness and how humans often suffer in silence. I also noted that while the physical reflection we see in the mirror may be a reflection of our physical selves, it does not necessarily reflect our inner thoughts and emotions.

2. In Part 2, I discussed the concept of seeking validation and the power of the mind. I also touched on the idea that humans often feel crushed when their suffering goes unnoticed by others.

3. In Part 3, I talked about the human need for companionship and the fact that some people may never find a companion despite being surrounded by others. I also noted the significance of tears as an expression of sadness and grief.

4. In Part 4, I discussed the idea that despite the many psychological hurdles we face, we are still able to preserve our sanity and continue with our work and duties. I also talked about the importance of the internal picture we hold of ourselves and how we may reject the physical reflection in the mirror if it does not align with this internal picture.

5. In Part 5, I talked about the idea that books are a form of immortality and that they allow us to share our stories with future generations. I also mentioned the significance of poets in preserving the human story.
Finally, in response to your request for a comment on the quotes at the beginning of the file, I noted that they touch on themes related to the human experience and the importance of introspection and self-reflection.
 
Soman Ragavan :
Thank you. Goodbye for now.

ChatGPT :
You're welcome! Don't hesitate to come back if you have more questions in the  future. Goodbye!

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                                                POEM :                                         
                              A REFLECTION ON LIFE 
                    (Based on my comments on the poem “Upon reflection” on :
                                      https://allpoetry.com )

--Mirrors would do well to reflect a little more before sending back images.

--Since the day of my birth, my death began its walk. It is walking toward me, without hurrying.

--True realism consists in revealing the surprising things which habit keeps covered and prevents us from seeing.

--Such is the role of poetry. It unveils, in the strict sense of the word. It lays bare, under a light which shakes off torpor, the surprising things which surround us and which our senses record mechanically. 
                --Jean Cocteau (1889-1963)

--“(…) But each man's path is his own path; and the poet, as historian of the soul's journeyings, must seize the crucial turning-points peculiar to each man's pilgrimage. (…)”   "FIFTEEN POETS." OXFORD : ENGLISH LANGUAGE BOOK SOCIETY AND OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS, 1970.
Full acknowledgements are made to the authors, publishers and rights-holders. 

--“Water, water everywhere,
Nor any drop to drink”
--S. T. Coleridge (1772-1834) : “The rime of the ancient mariner.”


                                                        *****
                                                POEM :                                         
                              A REFLECTION ON LIFE   

We stand in front of the mirror
And see our reflection.
It can be a lonely reflection,
Tearful,
Full of pathos.
We be born alone,
Sometimes we live through life
Alone,
And we die alone.
Even surround’d by others
We be alone.
We came in one by one,
We leave one by one.

We plod on with work,
Studies, duties, sacrifices,
We make believe that all is well,
We smile out of courtesy.
It can be a lonely life,
Miserable, miseries untold,
Suffer’d in silence.
A life of grief, of sorrows.

                                          PART 2

We see our reflection in the mirror,
But it be only a reflection of outwardly appearance.
It cannot portray what be inside,
For the inside remains a mystery.

When we see a reflection we do not recognize,
We refuse to accept it,
For our internal world is different,
Our mental world is different,
Our memories remain youthful,
Hopeful.
We struggle to survive,
We hope that tomorrow will be better,
That success is waiting for us
At some point.

It is crushing to notice
That we be the only one
To see our suff’ring,
For such suff’ring hath no words.
The drama plays itself out,
Unseen,
Unnotic’d,
Unknown.
                                      PART 3

After a few hours of company
We return to solitude,
That solitude that gnaws at us
Little by little.
People, people everywhere,
But, not a soul as companion.

There be billions of souls in the world,
But millions plod on in solitude,
Ne’er destin’d to meet a companion…
Even among a multitude
We be alone…

Tears be the ultimate vehicle of grief,
Of sorrows.
The saddest tears be the unseen ones
And the un-shed ones.
The unseen ones are seen
Just by the sufferer.
The tears fall down, dry up, disappear…
Such tears be taken to the grave
Or the cremation pyre.
Other ne’er notice the tragedies
Being play’d out in our lifetime.

                                          PART 4
It is by sheer luck
That we manage to survive
To stay sane,
To keep on plodding,
To do what be expect’d of us…

When we move away
The reflection disappears.
But what be inscrib’d in poetry
Stays for ever…

The mirror always gives an updated,
Realistic reflection.
But our mind refuses to accept it,
For our mind keeps a reflection
That be lock’d in time,
That rejects all that be against us.
Our mind sticks to its own realities.
Mirrors are terrible, unforgiving…  

                                            PART 5
A Chinese proverb says that
In his life a man must do three things :
Plant trees, have children and write books.
Trees will disappear with time;
The line of children will end at some point;
Only books will remain.
So, we must write.

Poets, as historians of human life,
Must seize human stories as they arise
And record them permanently for posterity.
------------------------------------
Soman RAGAVAN.

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