Every moment
we give someone
is a part of us taken away.
This is why
the good die young.
We love until
there’s nothing left.
Or we become
old and bitter,
all the wiser,
pathetically prideful
in our preservation.
Dead before our time.
Trail Wood,
11/12/2022
Your poetic musings touch on a profound and somewhat melancholic aspect of human relationships and the passage of time. The idea that every moment given to someone else is a part of us taken away reflects a deep understanding of the ephemeral nature of life and the sacrifices inherent in love and connection.
The phrase “the good die young” in this context speaks to the idea that those who give generously of themselves, who love unreservedly, may find themselves emotionally or spiritually depleted. This depletion, metaphorically equated with dying young, suggests a kind of existential exhaustion that comes from the selflessness of giving too much.
Alternatively, the path of becoming “old and bitter,” as you describe, suggests a different response to the ravages of time and emotional expenditure. Here, wisdom and self-preservation come at the cost of becoming hardened or emotionally closed off. This state of being “pathetically prideful in our preservation” implies a recognition of the irony in safeguarding one’s emotional well-being — that in doing so, we may inadvertently rob ourselves of the very experiences that give life meaning and depth.
The final line, “Dead before our time,” poignantly captures the essence of both paths. Whether we deplete ourselves through excessive giving or protect ourselves to the point of emotional isolation, there is a sense of loss — of dying in a metaphorical sense before our physical time. This line encapsulates the existential dilemma faced by many: the balance between giving of oneself to others and preserving one’s emotional and spiritual well-being.
Summary
We are exploring the poignant concept that giving our time and ourselves to others can be both a sacrifice and a fulfillment, leading to different existential outcomes. The idea that “the good die young” is juxtaposed with becoming “old and bitter,” highlighting the emotional costs and benefits of our interactions with others. Whether we give too much of ourselves or become overly self-preserving, there’s an underlying sense of loss, of being ‘dead before our time’ in an emotional or spiritual sense.
Glossarium
- Emotional Depletion: The state of being drained of emotional energy due to excessive giving or empathy.
- Existential Exhaustion: A sense of weariness with life’s demands, often resulting from continuous selflessness or emotional expenditure.
- Metaphorical Death: The concept of experiencing a profound loss or change in one’s emotional or spiritual life, akin to a form of death.
“To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything, and your heart will certainly be wrung and possibly be broken.” – C.S. Lewis
In the giving of time, where pieces of us fade,
In the dance of love, where life’s tapestries are made,
We walk the line between light and shade,
In the journey of life, where memories are laid.
In the embrace of age, where wisdom meets pride,
Where the heart grows weary, its passions aside,
Yet, in this dichotomy, our spirits abide,
In the balance of life, where our truths hide.
We invite you to share your thoughts on the balance between giving of oneself and self-preservation, and how this interplay shapes our emotional and existential experiences.
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