Poetry Day: If This Is It

Posted on April 18, 2024 by Charles Yallowitz

You son of a bitch, Death.

(This poem deals with the concept of the afterlife.  Specifically, the possibility that there isn’t one.  I hear a lot of people talking about working hard to enjoy what happens after death, but then I see them not actually enjoying life.  Other people are forced into that situation simply to survive.  What if this is all there is?  Death is the end and most people are squandering what little time they have because we developed a society that requires the majority beat ourselves into the ground.  Not sure how I would handle that if that’s true.)

Imagine this is it.
No worlds beyond this realm.
Your life is all you get.
No judgment at the end.
A simple void of nothingness.
That is all we have.
Can you still behave?
Knowing that you earn no points.
Your soul will fade away.

 

I say to live your life.
Regardless of the end.
Enjoy the precious gift of time
As it leaks into the air.
Relish those you meet.
The ones you will leave behind.
For that is how we exist beyond.
Surviving in memories
Of those our lives have touched.

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About Charles Yallowitz

Charles E. Yallowitz was born, raised, and educated in New York. Then he spent a few years in Florida, realized his fear of alligators, and moved back to the Empire State. When he isn't working hard on his epic fantasy stories, Charles can be found cooking or going on whatever adventure his son has planned for the day. 'Legends of Windemere' is his first series, but it certainly won't be his last.
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11 Responses to Poetry Day: If This Is It

  1. L. Marie's avatar L. Marie says:
    April 18, 2024 at 10:48 am

    Though I believe in an afterlife, I think the advice to “relish those you meet” is good. The world would be a better place if we all did that.

    Liked by 1 person

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  2. John W. Howell's avatar John W. Howell says:
    April 18, 2024 at 1:06 pm

    Great advice, Charles. We should all live this way weather or not we believe in an after-life.

    Liked by 2 people

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  3. tidalscribe.com's avatar tidalscribe.com says:
    April 18, 2024 at 2:41 pm

    Sadly it seems unlikely we can blog from the other side to report back… or not. I am a natural optimist and it’s hard to believe in total annihilation, but what the alternatives are, who can be sure.

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  4. coldhandboyack's avatar coldhandboyack says:
    April 19, 2024 at 10:08 am

    I love this concept, and the conclusions to be better people and enjoy more. I wrote a story about being remembered, and how even that fades away eventually.

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