‘There is only one meaning of life: the act of living itself.’
Erich Fromm
Is the act of living restricted to warmth, shelter, and food?
Or does it include our spiritual side, every hope and dream?
Is it guided solely by whims, emotions, reaction, and mood,
Or fed by outside capillaries joining the flow of our life stream?
During hard times all we are able to do, is live to survive
With dirty nails we dig for food, crawl exhausted under a bush
There is only one thought in our mind, to live and to thrive
We give it all, no matter what, hold out to the last push
Once we are fed, live in a house, are happy and content
Just living to live is not enough, there has to be more
There are places to see, things to do, mountains to ascent
There is knowledge from books, and science to explore
One question arises from knowledge and all that we see
There is still something missing in the life that we live
We need to find out what else is out there for you and me
And soon we realize that to receive we also must give
Our spiritual side becomes more important in our mind
To make an impact, leave a legacy, do some good
Helping others, remember all we receive, and repay in kind
Loving our neighbors, ourselves, just the way we should.
Finally, there is meaning in our life…….
-
Author:
Alfred Peyer (Pseudonym) (
Offline) - Published: August 12th, 2017 12:18
- Category: Unclassified
- Views: 37
- User favorite of this poem: Accidental Poet.
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Comments8
A balanced life. Great write Fred. Thanks for posting.
Thank you for your kind comment!
A well deserved kind comment.
What ... you couldn't pick a simpler theme than the meaning of life? Like anyone is qualified to agree or disagree with your take? Noble analysis, your thought-provoking poem, Fred! I need some aspirin.
We are all philosophers here, Louis. So you are definitely qualified to rip the poem apart. 🙂 Thank you so much for your comment, and I think a glass of wine would be a much better choice than an aspirin!
I'll drink to that!
Fred - I can't really add anything to the praises expressed above which so well describe this excellent write.
You guys are all much too kind! But thank you from my heart!
A fine write Fred. But I don't go along with Erich's quote myself. yet the poems seems to move from "the act of living itself" through to the end "Finally, there is meaning in our life". Otherwise I think we would be all wrapped up in 'self, self, self' and nothing and nobody else. Oohh I'm waffling a bit now! lol.
Thanks Orchidee, I am glad you brought that up. I saw the quote and it got me started on the poem, but after I finished I was wondering myself if the quote fit, but did not want to change anymore. On the other hand it does say "meaning OF life" and that I guess could mean the "act of living". But then, what IS the act of living? It consists of everything we do.
And now you have gotten me into 'waffling a bit' too!! 🙂
I agree with Antonio your work is a needed reminder that life is for loving and repaying in kind. Another gem Fred and thanks for sharing.
Thank YOU for reading! And for your thoughtful comment.
Wow, you come back with such a splendid piece. Act of living, living a meaningful life as we could.
Thank you so much! It is a lot easier to write about it, than to do it!
Yep, just do our best.
Self transcendence. This is the most difficult part to do in life. To transcend yourself you must forget who you are and this is what no one wants to do. We are rather very self important to accept deeply changes. A beautiful writing indeed.
You are absolutely right Malu, and thank you for your kind comment!
LIfe is there to be lived in ALL its various incarnations. Good write Fred.
Thank you so much, Goldfinch! Always like your comments!
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