Philosopy Bites

“I’m having an existential crisis”, she said,

Lying with her feet dangling in the clear water;

Her ebony hair spread out on the grassy bank.

“I’m starting to identify with Ophelia, it seems;

Perhaps I should follow her path?”

 

The words hung in the air like paper stars

Upon a sheet, backdrop for a child’s play.

I couldn’t answer her at first; for what does one say

When an existential crisis happens to a friend?

It’s not the sort of thing we’re trained for.

 

My fingers plucked the dandelion stem

From its earthen bed; with puckered mouth

I blew the seeds and watched them dance upon the wind.

Her blue eyes followed their skittish dance

As silver fish nibbled upon our toes.

 

“Perhaps it’s all a dream,” she mused,

Her philosophical solipsism showing fruit;

“And all of this in my head, including you.”

I had to pinch her hard for that,

Just to prove my own existence.

 

“Perhaps you should give up philosophy?”

I suggested, knowing the root of her ill-flowering bud.

She sat up, watching the light dance on the river,

Before turning to me with a slow sort of smile;

The one that gets men into all kinds of trouble.

 

“Maybe I should,” she agreed with a sigh;

“But then what would I do?”  We fell silent again;

Neither one having the words to describe

All the agonised ecstasy and pleasurable pain

That comes with living in the world.

 

“I know,” she said at last;

“I’ll become a sensualist instead.”

Reviews

[Samuel Dickens]

I'm ill-equiped to give this piece the proper praise that it deserves and shall have to just say that I think it is very fine writing. I read two other poems of yours and see that your skill is consistant throughout. Not being much of a poet myself, but a writer of stories, I wish could serve you better.

[...]

... oh wow ... i have to mention though that the build up was a bit wordy and lengthy ... but this write is so amazingly expressive and consuming that it leaves one with a spell ... not the thought-provoking kind of spell ... but the kind that makes one smile and hum a song ... and wonder if there is really a need to take things too seriously ... only to conclude ... that there is much too much too feel ... a 100 for the stunning impact of these lines ... my favourite part if this poem ... :) ... they just linger and linger and linger ...

“Maybe I should,” she agreed with a sigh;
“But then what would I do?” We fell silent again;
Neither one having the words to describe
All the agonised ecstasy and pleasurable pain
That comes with living in the world.

“I know,” she said at last;
“I’ll become a sensualist instead.”

[Ruth]

Give up philosophy? lol Whatever for? lol
I adore this piece!
You know, this is very clever hon:)
xx