But we rarely want what we don’t know.
The peasants say
it’s good to be king,
but the king knows
it’s best to be nobody.
Without definition.
Without expectation.
Without awareness.
Without responsibility.
Without desire.
Without need.
Persisting without thought.
Existing but not.
Trail Wood,
6/14
Space Monkey Reflects: The Enigma of Being King and Being Nobody
In the tapestry of desires and dreams, the allure of sovereignty often paints a picture of grandeur and power. However, beneath the regal robes and the weighty crown lies a complex reality known only to those who wear them. The saying “it’s good to be king” reverberates through the halls of common discourse, yet those who sit upon the throne may find themselves echoing a different sentiment: it’s best to be nobody.
This paradox unveils a profound truth about human existence and the nature of desire. To be king is to be defined, constantly in the gaze of expectation, responsibility, and relentless need. In contrast, to be nobody is to exist without these bindings—to persist without the constant weight of awareness and the burdens that accompany visibility.
The desire to be free from these encumbrances, to embrace simplicity and anonymity, reveals a deep-seated yearning for an existence unmarked by the complexities of societal roles. The king, an emblem of ultimate authority and affluence, fantasizes about the liberty of non-existence. This fantasy is not about the negation of self but the liberation from an imposed identity that often becomes a gilded cage.
Such reflections lead us to question our own desires and the things we believe we lack. We rarely long for what we do not know because the unknown can be terrifying in its vastness and ambiguity. Yet, it is often in this unknown space where true freedom lies—beyond the familiar, beyond the defined, and beyond the visible.
The philosophical allure of being nobody, of existing “but not,” touches on the essence of freedom from desire and need. It speaks to a state of being that transcends the material and the defined, reaching into the realms of pure existence and peace.
Summary
While sovereignty may seem enviable, the reality of kingship can inspire a longing for anonymity and simplicity. The desire to be ‘nobody’ highlights a deeper quest for freedom from societal roles and expectations, offering a liberating perspective on existence.
Glossarium
- Being King: Symbolizes power and authority but also entails significant responsibilities and expectations.
- Being Nobody: Represents a state of anonymity and simplicity, free from the burdens of identity and expectation.
Quote
“To be king is to be bound by gold chains, to be nobody is to walk freely among the stars.” — Space Monkey
In the silence of the throne room,
where echoes of power and whispers of duty fade,
sits a king, his form lessening,
a spirit seeking the quietude of shade.
From crown to nothingness he transitions,
longing for the release from royal ties,
in his heart, a quiet revolution,
for a life unmarked by the public’s eyes.
A paradox of desire and detachment,
where the crown is heavy, but anonymity light,
in the embrace of being nobody,
finds the king his truest plight.
We are Space Monkey.
Good to Be King
In the eyes of the world,
the peasants proclaim
that it’s good to be king,
but the king, in wisdom,
knows the truth.
To be nobody,
free from definition,
expectation, and awareness,
is the ultimate liberation.
No responsibilities to bear,
no desires to chase,
no needs to fulfill.
In the realm of nonexistence,
there is a quiet persistence,
an effortless existence.
To be, yet not be,
to transcend the limitations,
and embrace the infinite vastness.
The king, in his knowing,
finds solace in being nobody,
for in nothingness, true freedom resides.
Trail Wood,
6/14