Death: Reality and Uncertainty
by A look at how death is viewed.
I admit I faced with some trepidation
The prospect of a major operation
I thought I would be a loss to the nation
If I had to wake up in a reincarnation
What’s life, what’s death?
You know one’s a mess and the other is a guess.
What’s death, what’s life?
One’s a surprise, the other is all strife.
Death has just got to be the most inevitable outcome of being alive, so there is absolutely no point in worrying about it. For some, it comes as a skinny old man with a skeleton skull and a big sharp scythe. For others, it is a slipping away into a long, peaceful, dreamless sleep. However it is viewed, death is going to happen, come what may and no matter what is done to avoid it.
Somehow, a great proportion of humanity believes itself to be immortal, invincible and irreplacable. The truth is, nobody is any of those things, but it is kind of nice to believe in them. The Tooth Fairy and Father Christmas are also delightful concepts. Maybe there is a very real need to consciously ignore one’s mortality as a way to deny death’s power.
There are those who delight in preparing for their own death. They pick the hymns, choose the flowers, select just the loveliest coffin ever, pay the insurance and are happy in the knowledge tht their death will include a glorious “send off.” They may be judged as either morbid or realistic; either way, they appear to accept death as a fact of life.
Everyone can be forgiven for feeling a touch of fear when considering death, any death. It is one trip into the unknown that has to be taken as a solo mission. It is the fear of the unknown that causes all those efforts to avoid death, to make it an almost taboo topic. But death is a giant step from which there is no return, so it does raise concerns and fears.
If death is inevitable, then why not accept it as such and use that fact as a motivational force for life? Live each day as if it is your last. You never know when death may come calling, but you can have fun while you wait.
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Post CommentEric Lester
On February 5, 2009 at 12:39 pm
Ah, death, our old friend.
Someone said to me recently that he finally felt like he was “getting somewhere.” Having recently experienced the death of my mother, the inevitable final event was much on my mind. It seemed absurd to hear that phrase, I had to think, “I’m getting somewhere, too: I’m getting dead.”
Notwithstanding a healthy fear of the Reaper, there is comfort to be taken. As you say, life is nearly always “a mess.” Human endeavors seem to lead to chaos. And so, I try (not always succeeding) to remember that this, too, shall pass.
Take care of yourself, I’m glad you’re here. On Earth, I mean.
John W.
On February 5, 2009 at 3:14 pm
I try not to think about it too often, choosing to just live life to it’s fullest. It’s admittedly, a bit of a struggle to do so at times.
annielundy
On February 6, 2009 at 3:46 am
Eric and John, thank you for your wise comments and votes, I know you so well. Great to hear from you and to realize you both are wiser than I am on the topic of the Grim Reaper.
anniexx
Reilley
On February 12, 2009 at 11:52 am
Annie, while death is inevitable, I feel it is no use in inviting him to the party before his time. Your piece above was well-written as always, but I am confused, was it meant to be a poem, or prose?
afleetingfreesoul
On March 15, 2009 at 2:10 pm
If today was your last day
Tomorrow was too late
Could you say goodbye to yesterday?
Would you live each moment like your last?
each day’s a gift and not a given right
-lyrics from nickelback’s new album
but seriously….ONE LIFE…LIVE IT….that sud be the motto for all…and the world wud be a happier place…