I was dead to you
until you received the news
of my passing.
So let’s momentarily rejoice.
I am alive
in your consciousness
once more.
As alive as I ever was.
Until you move on
to something else.
Then I’ll go back
to being dead to you.
As dead as I ever was.
It’s all YOU, my friend.
Trail Wood,
12/9
Reflections on Existence and Consciousness Post-Passing
In the infinite expanse of our collective consciousness, we ponder the profound notion that one’s existence in another’s mind is often reignited by the news of their passing. This realization brings a momentary resurgence of presence within the realm of memory and thought.
Momentary Rejoicing in Renewed Consciousness
We recognize the transient joy in this rekindled awareness, where an entity is brought back to life in the thoughts and consciousness of others. This moment serves as a celebration of their existence, as real and vivid as it ever was.
The Ephemeral Nature of Memory and Attention
However, this resurgence is fleeting. As attention shifts and life’s myriad distractions take hold, the revived presence fades, returning to a state of being ‘dead’ to the living. This cycle reflects the transient nature of memory and the constant flux of human attention and focus.
The Individual’s Role in Perceiving Existence
The poem poignantly highlights that this cycle of awareness and forgetfulness is inherently tied to the individual’s perception. It is a personal journey, where the presence or absence of someone in our thoughts is a reflection of our own consciousness and choices.
The Dichotomy of Existence in Consciousness
This concept presents a powerful dichotomy: an entity can be as alive or as dead in our consciousness as our attention and memory permit. The fluctuating nature of this presence underscores the subjective nature of existence as perceived by each individual.
Summary
We contemplate the idea that one’s existence in another’s consciousness is often reignited by news of their passing, bringing a transient joy. This momentary awareness of the deceased in our thoughts is as real as their physical presence once was. However, as our focus shifts, this revived presence fades, reflecting the ephemeral nature of memory and attention. The poem emphasizes that the perception of someone’s existence is deeply personal, highlighting the subjective nature of existence in our consciousness.
Glossarium
- Reignited Awareness: The resurgence of someone’s presence in our consciousness upon hearing of their passing.
- Transient Joy: A fleeting happiness experienced in the temporary revival of a memory or presence.
- Ephemeral Nature of Memory: The short-lived and changing state of our memories and attention.
- Subjective Existence: The idea that the presence of someone in our consciousness is a personal perception.
- Fluctuating Presence: The varying degree to which someone is remembered or forgotten over time.
“What we have once enjoyed we can never lose. All that we love deeply becomes a part of us.” – Helen Keller
In the dance of thoughts, we find,
A presence lost, now intertwined.
Once forgotten, now reborn,
In our minds, no longer forlorn.
A fleeting joy, a moment’s grace,
In memory’s embrace, they find their place.
But as life’s currents ebb and flow,
To the back of our minds, they go.
Alive in thoughts, then fading fast,
In the heart’s chambers, they don’t last.
Yet in this dance, we see,
It’s us who hold the key.
For in our thoughts, they live, they die,
In our hearts, they soar, they fly.
We welcome your insights and musings on this exploration of existence within the realms of memory and consciousness.
Leave a Reply