What is

What is life, my friend? 

What does it mean?

What does it give?

What does it take? 

Is it gift or treasure?

Is it responsibility or load?

Is it fate or destiny?

Is it for only for you or me?

How do we treasure it?

How can we protect it?

Where can it take us?

Why should we care? 

Is there a quote that explains?

Is there a phrase that comforts? 

What is life, my friend? 

What does it mean?

Reviews

[R J Askew]

Hmmm, I don't have an answer to any of those questions. I can't recall thinking to hard about them either. I don't know if that is a good thing or a bad thing. I've never worried about them, which does make me wonder if I am actually alive! Maybe I'm scared of the questions, or lazy in the face of them, or in denial. i don't know. Could it be there are as many answers as there are people alive, that none of us ever know, so don't ask? I don't know. Maybe I'll wake up one day and realised I've completely missed the point of it all, life, or not. I think the questions make me defensive, maybe.

[emmajoygreen]

Each of us has a path to walk and perhaps a chosen destination. Freedom to be allows variations. To feel as you do is a given to a free man - or woman. All I can add is that we live in a world with others and to be as happy and content we should at least TRY to accept isolation as a judgement of self, set by self. Maybe think that seventy five percent of questions are friendly.. 'Doing unto others in our vast planet is a helping hand.. perhaps. Smile at your tomorrow, sir.

[Pete]

tough questions for sure. the answers probably change as we go along. different life events and feelings shaping our answers. things don't change, we do (hopefully for the better). probably best answered when we face our own mortality. all i know i that it is very precious and it's time short.

[Soren]

So many questions for which we have so few answers and each has their own. What is life to one is not to another even as humans some feel that some are worthy to be alive. A most philosophical question.

[Ken Simm.]

You know I will say something like Ars longa Vita Brevis don't you but that is an obvious answer to these age old questions that you pose. But it phrasing them in such a way that does seem important to the individual and the answers that each will give sans the effects of fate. Deep poem extraordinarily well written. And I don't think I have managed to answer any of your questions.

[carl]

Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player
That struts and frets his hour upon the stage,
And then is heard no more. It is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing. - Macbeth ( Shakespeare )

But personally I don't believe a word of that. It is the grand adventure, the only holy experience, the culmination of dream and desire, light in darkness, the gift of grace. - carl

[Mauricio Montoya]

Emma hard to say because it involves two but I do believe its compromise to be one.

[emmajoygreen]

What a wise man you are.. live one's life allowing others to chose theirs.. Stand back, stand tall in youjr own life and pray that others do the same. Take care of you, sir Mauricio.

[Mauricio Montoya]

Its an excellent write , I think wisdom comes from you

[emmajoygreen]

Sending you a smile, sir. Take care of yourself.

[Mysilentembrace]

The existential dread of the questions as we ponder this life, its purpose, and possibly if we care its meaning. This just felt heavier with each set of questions. Questions that I’ve spent so many months and years pondering to extinction until no answers but my own assumptions may be found. I do so enjoy how philosophical this is.

[emmajoygreen]

Perhaps - only perhaps, we need to learn other's questions in order to learn what our own answers should be, could be. This would make a fine debate, if people dare! Many thanks for visiting.

[Neville]

the meaning is in the answer .. to be experienced or lived, respected, recounted and then writ about .. it is a circle of meaning .. the cycle or circle of itself .. that is Ouroboros .. Neville

[emmajoygreen]

It is the circle of meaning; an eternity that take Man into a limitless place of anything is yours - if you deserve it. If not, grow hope as you would grow a tree an' look forward to the gifts it offers but in return you can or might exchange. Wisdom exchanged, lessons learned, space available if you know how to fly.

[emmajoygreen]

OOps. forgive, forgot to thank you for calling in to add a few stitches to the embroidery

[Aura]

"what is life?" It is such an age-old question that no one truly knows the answer to. Why? It really depends on who you ask, because everyone has a different perspective on what life is, and what it means for them. Its such a deep question, and makes for a thoughtful poem. Thank you so much for sharing this poem, I enjoyed reading it, and pondering the question, What is Life?

[emmajoygreen]

Even poets ask people to think - even if on a bad day or on a wonderfuly fine day. Questions search for answers, don't you think?

[Laz K.]

i suppose the question is rhetorical, and it would be idiotic to try and answer it, so i'll just give you a thumb up for asking the question. :)

[emmajoygreen]

Your thumb up is as near as a compliment I've had for ages, Laz K - many thanks. As to questions, have a list as long as space, sir.

[Davidgeo]

"the same thing stares through different eyes"

we do our best to pretend otherwise... but none of us are very different from the other.

[emmajoygreen]

Many thanks.. could be - is, sir.

[Davidgeo]

I gather you have learned how to deal with personality disordered people. Good work. This will benefit you in how you deal with people in general for the rest of your life.

[Davidgeo]

madame......

[emmajoygreen]

Years into my life was told and shown that 'doing unto others as you would have them do unto you' is sharing kindness, respect and - an occasional smile.