Into the unknown

poem

 

Into the unknown

 

 

We are condemned at birth to die.

This the fate of everyman

 and no amount of wealth can buy

an added hour to your span

 

Though some die young by accident.

And others reach a ripe old age.

By well established precedent,

each one of us must leave the stage.

 

For everyone the curtain falls

 when we have performed our part

There is no time for curtain calls

our time is up and we depart.

 

What happens next a mystery.

Which man has yet to penetrate.

Death is the only certainty.

 A fact we must accept as true.

 

Some people see death as the end

 and that we simply cease to be.

Yet others think that we ascend

 towards the light triumphantly.

 

The churches promise paradise.

A reward for the faithful few.

But I believe a man who’s wise

will be prepared to listen to.

 

The many different points of view

which priest of all the creeds express.

Each one convinced his words are true.

As for myself I must confess.

 

I do not think we’re meant to know.

I can accept that easily.

We have to wait until we go

 to solve the final mystery.

 

Though some of you may disagree

 and see me as a stubborn fool.

In truth you know no more than me.

but parrot what you learnt at school.

 

8-Aug-08

 

http:// blpg.myspace.com/poeticpiers

Reviews

[Satine]

Nice! Although this piece is almost an open invitation to debate the very existance of heaven/hell etc., you squash it triumphantly in the final lines;

"In truth you know no more than me.
but parrot what you learnt at school."

No truer words were ever spoken. Now then, when someone actually takes that curtain call and then comes back to tell us all about it you can count me in on that discussion...

Satine

[Nassira]

Awesome poem! You have dared talking about a subject that is so feared, that it became almost taboo to talk about. Your poem rhymes with a smooth flow and it makes it so enjoyable to read. I know I did:)
I like very much the way you are accepting the fact of death and its mysteries ... and you are only speaking the truth regarding that fact! Thank you my friend for sharing our common destiny :)

Salam to you :)

[The Spaniard]

.
"but parrot what you learnt at school."

Phenomenal line. I was just having a discussion with a friend of mine about that. How school is only based on memorization of facts and not on logic, and free thinking. So you have these straight A students who think they are better than the average student artist who thinks in more of a free formed way. Anyway your poem was excellent and very true. We are all born into the grave and what comes next is the ultimate mystery and you have to believe in something to squelch the fear of what comes next. Good write.