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.

[Gregoria Ahmed]

Beautifully framed as a dialogue, and I felt myself answering each line in my own way. That’s the mark of a poem that meets readers exactly where they are. Each question peeling back a layer of being. It doesn’t seek answers so much as it dares us to ask with honesty.

[emmajoygreen]

I hadn't thought of that, Gregori. If that's the case, will hope to solve the invisible even more in the future! Many thanks for visiting. :)

[Gregoria Ahmed]

Thank you, Emma. I’ll be watching for how your voice keeps growing--one question at a time. 🫶

[emmajoygreen]

Bless you.

[emmajoygreen]

Forgive, I didn't give your name an 'A', Gregoria. Wishing you a happy, happy day.

[Gregoria Ahmed]

No worries on the forgotten letter “A” 😁, but wishing the same happiness for you 🙏🧡💛

[emmajoygreen]

Kind and thoughtful you - thank you, GregoriA!

[John the Baptist]

An interesting question here, on both the literary and philosophical levels. In fact, the poem is composed entirely of questions. Zorba the Greek said it's what you do while you're waiting to die. I'd prefer something a little less basic. I see life as the expression of Being. So I guess the next question is What is Being?

[emmajoygreen]

Breathing, slowly aging, learning, attempting, enjoying, discriminating, achieving, losing, suffering, etcetera sans cease!

Anyone who focusses on waiting to die has already started the process before living!

[emmajoygreen]

What is being? Tis waiting at dawn, living each day, questing, understanding, forgetting, suffering, living ad infinitum. Best said: Everything is Being

[Betty Hermelee]

Dear Em...life is what you make it...how you sleep, how you dream, how you love, how you disguise,how you learn, how you breathe.....it's difficult to explain because each of us is unique and we look at life in different ways....For some life is a gift and for others who suffer life is miserable....I like your question!!!
a good debate!!
HUGS
B

[emmajoygreen]

As we generally post as individuals, I thought it might be interesting to see how things go if we joined together occasionly, maybe gently fueling a sense of say what we think in group or groups. Will see if it happens or needs remain with groups. MANY thanks for your generous understanding and response. HUGS to you too. :)

[Lydia Shutter]

Ah, the age old question. I believe it will never be fully answered. We are all given a life and we need to cherish it. No, I don't think there is a quote that explains it all. You are waxing philosophical in this one, Emma. Very thought provoking! Lydi***

[emmajoygreen]

I think on and off and often bewilder myself. I ask questions of self too often, have reached a point when need ask others to see if I'm still thinking as I should be at my age! Feel free to ask.. ..

[h d e rushin]

An 88-year-old Robert Frost was asked what he had learned about life. "It goes on", he replied. Not being flippant or the curmudgeon that he was known to be in his older years, there is a certain formality in that statement. We can treasure it, but we can't protect it. And on our sick beds, we treasure it more than when we are well. BECAUSE YOU FRAMED THIS QUESTION IN A POEM, ADVANCES THE SCARS OF LIFE'S REALITY, AND FRAMES IT AS ARTISTIC. You're amazing. dana

[emmajoygreen]

Your visit is one of many over many years, sir, and oh so welcome! Many thanks for your generous words. I hope and pray that life is being gentle with you.

[Paul Michael Kelly]

fruitful questions... what is this thing we've been given?
To be in the middle of so many processes, able to witness them, value them maybe?
What do we do with the time and energy we've been given?
Embody yourself fully. No one else has your voice.

[emmajoygreen]

(lost my words.. argh!)
In answer as best can: ignore force or guile but focus friendly chitter-chat or gentle persuasion! Via honest courtesy one can often find the final corner of both the viewed and described picture!
That could be called embodying. Perhaps?

[andrew mitchell]

Life is the lease given
for one to find love
as a loan.
Enjoyed your write Em.

[emmajoygreen]

How very true, andrew - we can't grab or steal love but, enjoy the heartfelt sharing of it. Many thanks for your understanding words, sir. :)

[michelle buckley]

I love this! Philosophy of life eh. Beautiful thought out words, your voice is clear and concise...

[Betty Hermelee]

Life has different meanings… for some it is fate, for me it is my destiny…. Life is complicated; one has to carefully weave through its intricacies …… it can be daunting or it can be glorious…. I love how you pose a very complex question
My dear Em; t’s a thought provoking piece indeed!
Hugs
B💕

[Samuel Dickens]

Aristotle proposed that the best life involves both intellectual inquiry and virtuous action, with a focus on developing one's rational capabilities and striving for excellence in all aspects of life. (I got that from Google)
You pose several questions about life, and are certainly not the first to do so. From what I know of you, I'd say you fit Aristotle's view on the subject.
What is life? What does it mean? Even the wisest will struggle to say. I think it just "is".

[emmajoygreen]

If 'is' is all we have then, takes only that small word to give us Life and the way we use it - surely? If that is it - then it is what it is. Magnificent,

[Dave W.]

42, the answer is 42........... that and tacos.........and a good nap...........and coffee.....

[emmajoygreen]

Laughing... right, okay, will see what I can do!!!