The Definition of Life


    I was browsing a book of poems I wrote in high school and the title of one caught my eye. I decided to write a new poem based solely on the title and compare what ideas were conveyed. I thought it would be great to see how much changed in my writing both ideally and stylistically over the course of 10 (yes 10!) years. 

    The Definition of Life (pt 2)

    May 5, 2014

    I see the world with my own eyes
    and oft forget my eyes cannot see
    The shades and hues of colors here
    Glow differently from you to me--
    And as they take flight in gentle winds,
    Disappear from us our separate thoughts,
    For an instant I see the shadow of life
    Hiding invisibly between contrasting visions
    Ducking beneath waterfalls of sorrow,
    Riding waves of anger and frustration...
    A little imp, hiding casual in the light of day
    Unable to be caught by my own eyes.
    The shadow settles and fades away
    Into the sun light, the mists of what was
    Some that may or may not come to be
    His shadow lingers in my sight
    As I try to carve form and shape.
    Life dances its visions away from us
    Leaves us debating the colors we see:
    Blissful blue and raucous red intwining,
    Two parts of the same whole, dividing
    A distraction from the shadow of life
    Of the shadow we were meant to see

    The Definition of Life (pt 1)

    June 30, 2004

    Like rain pounding
    Ever so forcefully
    On my window
    My roof, my porch;
    I drown in life's flood.
    It's waves
    Crashing over me
    But like the withering rose
    I rise in life's shower,
    Soaking up ever drop
    Every crystal
    Of life's stream.
    Because life is overwhelming,
    Yet peaceful all the same

    Like tears
    Spilling from the soul,
    From the eyes of innocence;
    I feel a burden of life's sorrow
    I tugs at my heart
    And clings to my mind.
    Yet like the tears
    Of joyous cries
    Springing out from happiness
    I am comforted
    Because sadness
    Is merely a state
    Of happiness
    And life was built
    Between the two.

    Like my heart
    Breaking under pressure,
    Torn from corner to corner;
    I know anger--
    the gate to hatred.
    But like my heart,
    Warmed by gentle pressure,
    I love first
    Because hate
    Is the betrayal of love
    And life comes from both.

    Life --
    Neither good nor bad
    Neither lovely nor hateful;
    But a sweet,
    Rigid combination
    Of all that is.
    Published on Monday, May 5, 2014
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