The Meaning Of Existence Poem by Les Murray

The Meaning Of Existence

Rating: 3.8


Everything except language
knows the meaning of existence.
Trees, planets, rivers, time
know nothing else. They express it
moment by moment as the universe.

Even this fool of a body
lives it in part, and would
have full dignity within it
but for the ignorant freedom
of my talking mind.

The Meaning Of Existence
COMMENTS OF THE POEM
Denis Mair 28 January 2020

This poem leads us into paradoxes. A tree of thought grows in the human mind, and that's our way to explore the meaning of existence. Somehow we belong to Nature, even though we don't always know how we fit in. There are various modes of knowing... It is our human fate to experience them all. That is " natural" for us.

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Briony Nicholls 11 July 2015

'But for the ignorant freedom of my talking mind is our one constant companion. This poem has reinforced the sense of the mind as an instrument of oppression. We had better think nice thoughts then!

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Afrooz Jafarinoor 09 August 2015

The great Persian poet, Molavi, has said: There comes wisdom Cover yourself lover!

1 1 Reply
Lyn Paul 30 August 2019

Wonderful words. Powerful and thought provoking.

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Kingsley Egbukole 28 January 2020

Nicely articulated, Interesting reading

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Zein 12 October 2021

I really can't understand this poem but I need to for my project. Can anyone explain this for me? Thank you so much ^_^l

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Mahtab Bangalee 28 January 2020

THOUGHT PROVOKING POEM; EXISTENCE THERE FINDS OUT THE LANGUAGE, THE MOVEMENT, THE ACTIVITIES; BUT THE UNMOVED MOVING, GROWING AND VANISHING THROUGH SEEN AND UNSEEN ARE VERY ARDUOUS IN EXISTENCE; NATURES ARE NATURALLY EXISTED; BUT SOME PARTS OF THIS NATURES ARE VERY SUBTLE TO REALIZE ITS EXISTENCE; POET SO KEENLY DESCRIBED THIS//

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Rich Tassinari 28 January 2020

Like this poem! A bit of irony when comparing the title to the stanzas and the fact that language is used to communicate the meaning that we are and know existence except that we can think, talk, and make something simple (our living existence) quite complex (why are we here?) . We are just naturally existing.

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Michael Walker 28 January 2020

What is the meaning of existence? Les Murray offers an unexpected answer to the question. Don't rely too much on language and thought.

2 0 Reply
Edward Kofi Louis 28 January 2020

Talking mind like talking drums! ! ! ! Thanks for sharing this poem with us.

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