The tree is happy because it is scarcely sentient;
the hard rock is happier still, it feels nothing:
there is no pain as great as being alive,
no burden heavier than that of conscious life.
To be, and to know nothing, and to lack a way,
and the dread of having been, and future terrors...
And the sure terror of being dead tomorrow,
and to suffer all through life and through the darkness,
and through what we do not know and hardly suspect...
And the flesh that temps us with bunches of cool grapes,
and the tomb that awaits us with its funeral sprays,
and not to know where we go,
nor whence we came! ...
His real name was Félix Rubén García Sarmiento, and this poem seems to indicate that he had no belief in the hereafter. He says 'there is no pain as great as being alive' and I totally disagree. Life is great! He did a great job expressing himself in the poem, however.
Awesome this poem has a lot of great lines. There is no pain as great as being alive
The pain of a conscious life.. well drafted.. thanks for sharing
There really are no words to express the depth, reach and grandeur of this deeply magnificent poem on human life.
And the sure terror of being dead tomorrow, and to suffer all through life and through the darkness....brilliantly put. An excellent poem.
Well expressed thoughts and feelings.An insightful work of art. Thanks for sharing, Ruben.
The poet is turning to fatalism, an age old theme, quotably expressed in Thomas Gray's 'Elegy in a country churchyard'. I wish we amateurs try to write something different, personal, even describing a minor incident in our daily life, mostly suburban perhaps. My rating for this poem is 6. A. Madhavan
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
The pain of a conscious life is the price we pay for a soul- although there are a few personality types who manage to lead an unconscious life and never feel pain or remorse.