The Universe and You
67
Explanation of poem
In my novel, a philosopher teaches the protagonist, a young girl, about most of the philosophical questions about our existence. One day he disappears from her life and he leaves her a poem.
I had always been very proud of that piece of writing until recently when I decided to publish it for the first time as a stand-alone poem for hub pages.
When I re-read it I decided to do a total re-write and the result is a new poem for hubpages!
I enjoyed writing this poem because it is a little bit off the wall for me. I address philosophical questions but as a mad woman's rant!
Two things I would like to explain:
- The age of Kali (called Kali yuga in Sanskrit, an ancient language from India) is the age of destruction and it is the age we are living in. Normally, this should be followed by another Golden age which will come after the destruction is over. In the ancient Indian scriptures, at the end of Kali Yuga, a re-incarnation of God, Kalki, will come riding a white horse to save and guide mankind.
- The stars we see are so far that we talk about distance in light years. The Carina Nebula shown in the picture is 7500 light years away. So it takes light, which travels at a speed of 299 792 458m/s (i.e. 187,500 miles per second), 7500 years to reach us. Therefore, what we see today is how the star was 7500 years ago. When we look at the night sky we are looking only at the past. This scientific fact just thrills me!
The Universe and You
The Universe and me?
In this expansive universe
I am hardly conspicuous
Yet, my ego is everywhere.
Unconditional love?
How beautiful!
Yet, I take advantage of those who love me.
What about Reality?
Maybe a Matrix does control me
My reality is a mere illusion.
The Age of Kali?
Kali, the goddess of destruction
She is warning me to stop
Yet, I march on bravely.
Enlightenment?
Buddha said the way to end suffering
Is to look deep within
Where that sacred place awaits me.
Nirvana is the ultimate heaven.
Jesus crucified?
The image of Jesus being crucified
Still gives me nightmares
Yet he was happy to die and forgive us.
He found that place Buddha was talking about.
Reclining Buddha
Jesus on the Cross
Fierce Kali
They are all trying to tell me something.
I think I know what, but how can I be sure?
Why are there sects?
Sects form and disappear
Mass suicide, their preferred way to depart
What do they see that I do not see?
Is what I see really there?
The close by stars are
Several light years away
I cannot imagine these distances.
As I stare I realize these stars may be dead
I am staring at their past.
How can I be sure anything exists then?
The Truth?
Great sages all claim they know the Truth
They have seen It in their meditations
In their communion with the Supreme being.
When will I know the Truth?
Science?
Scientists dream of discovering
The truth about our beginnings
Science can explain almost everything.
That's what they tell me.
Waiting for...
A messiah
Kalki on his white horse
Anyone who will come and rescue me.
Yet there is one Truth I am sure of
My Universe revolves around you.
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Dear Sunnie,
It is so nice to hear from someone who has been through this quest for Truth. You are so right that we can get very confused and best is just to be! One of the sages said, "Just be yourself" and that is a simple one to follow! Thanks for the lovely comment and the following!
Chaya, What a wonderful rendering of the true emotions. Waiting for Kalki to deliver as the tenth 'Avataar'. Thanks for a beautiful and meaningful poem. Voted up!
Namaskar and warm wishes,
MAKUSR
Nicely done Chaya.
Voting up and will be checking out more of your writings.
Very thought provoking poem.
What powerful poem.
Namaskar Makusr! Thanks so much for your great comment. I do love the image of Kalki on his white horse as the next Avataar. Thanks for voting up!
TKS thanks for reading, voting up and nice comments.
jfay2011 thanks for comments. The mysteries of life and the universe are very thought provoking indeed!
jenubouka, thanks for reading and your comments!
A very nice poem Chaya.
The many paths have caused so much bloodshed but they all seem to lead the same way. Its a mystery why these paths cause so much negative energy when they should be united. A rescuer is a wondrous idea. A modern day Buddha - if only we were all open to listen.
Voting up.
A really good one Chaya.The avatar of Kalki is needed in this world.
Hi Rich. Thanks for adding some of your own views to my poem! Well many problems would be resolved by open mindedness! Thanks for voting up!
Hi Mathira. Thanks for your positive comments and for reading.
Hi Chaya, I like the way you question and try to understand our existence, the universe is so vast and jet we know so little about it; most of all, we hardly understand the way things really work. Why are we left in such mystery? What kind of game is played without clear instructions and without knowing the goal players must seek to win? These are questions that hunt me and make me identify with your writings.
Very interesting hub! Voted up.
Really nice concepts to play around with :)
Tricky to make them poetic too but you managed it very well.
Thanks for sharing these thoughts.
Thanks Claudia...you are right there is so little we actually understand in the universe and it is overwhelming sometimes and this is what inspires me to write.
Thanks Caroline for your continued support!
Thanks for the analysis...but you know how poems are inspirations from this universe that we do not quite understand.
This is absolutely beautiful, and that last line is powerful. I love the way you build up to it, almost circling it. Profound and thought-provoking, great poem!
Hi Sonya L Morley. I am glad you found this poem even though it was published a while back. Thanks for your lovely feedback.
Sunnie Day Level 8 Commenter 6 months ago
Dear Chaya,
This was truly so beautiful and profound. Asking many questions about our life as we know it and the after life.
"Great sages all claim they know the Truth
They have seen It in their meditations
In their communion with the Supreme being.
When will I know the Truth?"
I once went on a quest for truth..and found so much infomation that I really got confused...now I just rest in the truth what ever it may be..it will come to me oneday.
Thank you for sharing your gift. I really enjoyed it so much,
Sunnie