All I Have Ever Known

Well written, but I don’t know if I like it. The message seems ambiguous.

We each have a life. Given to us as a gift. We can live in fear of death. We can carefully calculate the safety of each move we make, but that makes life empty and worthless. Therefore, some seek to give their whole heart using their life to a divine purpose. Others, less charitable, give all they have in a quest for “greatness.” They strive to elevate their self above all others.

No doubt there are other choices. To give their lives some sort of meaning or for the sake of security, men invent endless idols. All that seems clear from your poem is the wish to set aside that dread fear of death. That perhaps is more than enough for a poem — to crystalize fear of death and face it — but it is not enough for a life.

The fear of death is, of course, an old concern. Since the Bible is great literature, my guess is that even if you are not a Christian you are familiar with 1 Corinthians 15 starting at verse 12. If not, you may find it interesting. I think much of that passage is an allusion verse 24 below.

John 12:24-25 New American Standard Bible
Truly, truly I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. The one who loves his life loses it, and the one who hates his life in this world will keep it to eternal life.

Bear much fruit? What is fruit? The Bible speaks of the fruit of the spirit, virtuous and loving conduct.

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