Empty Canvas

This is a villanelle poem based on the philosophy of absurdism. It talks about our striving to find our own meaning, and discerning our own views on life.

Life’s meaning is a canvas that is empty.

We search for meaning for all of our life.

An empty canvas and its true meaning are impossible to see.

 

We continuously try to find meaning in absurdity.

We like to find meaning in faith, leading to historical strife.

We bicker over life’s meaning, creating animosity.

 

We try find meaning in community.

We get a sense of love from it, a feeling that is blithe.

Our friendships manage to distract us from life’s ambiguity.

 

Many times, we try to find sense in the monotony.

We paint our canvas our own way, as meaninglessness is rife.

Humanity will always make masterpieces, despite life’s incomprehensibility.

 

 

We philosophize about life’s meaning, despite its indecipherability.

We try to solve the complexities of existences with a blunt knife.

But blunt knives cannot find a clear meaning to life’s incoherency.

 

We may never find a true way to curb life’s uncertainty.

We share this struggle for meaning with all creatures, from fauna to sealife.

We should enjoy life for its own sake, though our ends will come inexorably.

As long as we are still here, we should enjoy life’s serendipity.

Author's Note

This is a villanelle poem about absurdism. It is a philosophical poem, as it goes over our attempts to discern life's meaning.

Reviews

[Arundass TP]

A philosophical masterpiece on life. Good poem 😊

[John the Baptist]

A philosophical offering here. People have been trying to determine the meaning of life for centuries. If there were only one objective meaning the task might be simpler. But there are as many meanings as there are opinions.

[Matthew Kult]

Sprightly absurd. A great villanelle with an interesting rhythm scheme. Great read.

With love,

Matthew