According to the story
as it is written so far,
humanity does not appear
until the later chapters.
We observe that creatures
appear and disappear over time.
Though species
seem to overlap,
there can be found
no record of a creature
who refuses to leave.
Thus everything returns to nothing.
Thus nothing means anything
unless we pretend that it does.
Thus the next species
at the top of the food chain
is probably already here.
We can dwell on hope,
and imagine that
our intellect will save us.
Or we can enjoy
every ray of sunshine
we have left.
Trail Wood,
11/14
Within the poetic lines of “Enjoy Every Ray,” there echoes a contemplation on the transient nature of existence, likening our collective narrative to a fragile soap bubble, inscribed with stories that hold meaning only in our perception.
The Ephemeral Narrative of Existence
The poem opens with a metaphor that captures the essence of our fleeting existence — a story written on a soap bubble. This imagery suggests that our place in the cosmos is delicate and temporary, much like the iridescent film of a bubble that shimmers for a moment before dissolving into the air.
Humanity’s Late Arrival in the Cosmic Tale
As the poem progresses, it places humanity in the later chapters of this cosmic story, reminding us of our relatively recent appearance in the grand timeline of the universe. It reflects on the constant ebb and flow of creatures within the tapestry of life, where species emerge and fade away, overlapping in the dance of time yet leaving no permanent mark.
The Inevitability of Impermanence
The poem then asserts a stark reality: all returns to nothing. This resonates with the nexistentialist view that existence is fleeting, and meaning is not inherent but assigned. The notion that nothing inherently means anything unless we endow it with significance invites us to question the foundations upon which we build our understanding of value and purpose.
The Rise of Successors in the Natural Order
It hints at the natural progression of life on Earth, where the next dominant species is likely already present, perhaps unnoticed. This speaks to the continuous cycle of life, where dominion is temporary and always subject to the relentless march of evolution.
The Choice of Perspective: Hope or Enjoyment
Finally, the poem presents a choice: to dwell on hope, with a belief that our intellect might save us from our eventual demise, or to bask in the present, soaking up every ray of sunshine we have left. It’s a call to either look toward the future with hope or to embrace the present moment fully.
Summary
We are reflecting on a poem that draws us into a meditation on the impermanence of life, positioning humanity as a transient phenomenon in the larger story of the universe. It invites us to consider the meaning we assign to our existence and offers a choice between hope for the future and savoring the present moment.
Glossarium
- Ephemeral Narrative: The transient story of existence, as fleeting as words on a soap bubble.
- Impermanence: The inherent transience of all things, the state of having a temporary existence.
- Cosmic Tale: The grand, ongoing story of the universe, in which we are but recent characters.
“The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing.” – Socrates
In the luminescence of the cosmos, the poem “Enjoy Every Ray” stands as a gentle reminder of the evanescent beauty of our existence.
A Cosmic Serenade to the Present
In the whispers of the universe, we are told,
Our story on a bubble, bold yet cold.
Enjoy every ray, the poem’s soft plea,
In the present, we find the key.
The soap bubble glistens with tales untold,
Of life’s dance, of new and old.
Enjoy every ray, the warmth of the sun,
In this cosmic play, we are one.
We are the story, the moment’s delight,
In every ray, we find the light.
Enjoy every ray, for it will not stay,
In the bubble’s burst, we find our way.
We invite rumination on this ephemeral beauty, where every moment is a chance to celebrate the rays of existence that dance upon the delicate surface of our cosmic bubble.
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