What is Life? - Glen Marcus (the best novels to read .txt) 📗

                   “What is life?  Is it no more than an infinitesimal, linear span of what we refer to as time?  If so, why is every breath we take so precious, and seemingly so few?  From our infancy to our senility, the earth revolves, it creeps forward, and then escalates to a blistering pace.  This scenario, though unjust as it may appear, rings true for all mankind.  For no matter our age, there is a season for living and a season for demise.  The fortunate among us that have reached the plateau of the ‘golden years’, often wonder why the luster has faded, as the sunset on the horizon.  The ill thoughts beset me now like a whirlwind.

                Regrets weigh me down, as if the earth itself is resting perilously on my shoulders, most assuredly to come crashing down if I stumble.  But my feet and my legs, once strong and sure, are now fragile and awkward in their feeble steps.  To give way and release the bondage of my misgivings would be the coward’s choice, so onward I trod, ever careful of my paces.  Oh, such pain I must endure.

                Memories, those sweet memories.  They are a respite as I trudge on this uphill slope.  Such nectar is sparse, but welcomed, nonetheless.  A time to remember what life once enveloped.  When life had true, unending purpose.  But alas, I have outlived the endlessness of my dreams.  No more to envision the ones I held dear.  A fleeting reminiscence rolls down my cheek and I must move on.

                Why is the sky so dark?  Has night overtaken my weary soul?  Where are the sounds of my youth?  My shaky hands massage my worn face to find I still have eyes.  I still have ears.  Have they lost their usefulness?  Damn this tempestuous body!  Its shortcomings will be the death of me.  Though the blindness of night and the solitude of silence surround me, my race is not yet complete.  Into the abyss I must plunge…not of my own choosing.

                As a wave crashes on the sandy shore, I have landed at my destination.  The ebb and flow of life has drained from my dead carcass, which I view from a distance.  Mourners are gathered around, but scarcely shed a tear for the elderly man that once was.  In all likelihood, they never knew me at all.  Little did they realize the vibrancy of my youth and the enabling power life had bequeathed me.  All they see before them are the ruins; the stark consequences of what life removes from the body at the end.  I bow my head and turn away as the scene overtakes me.

                What is this warmth?  Has the sun pierced the overcast sky?  With an upturned glance, I see with perfect sight, rays of glowing beams.  Is this the light, I’ve always heard spoken of?  The ringing in my ears give way to melodies, never before heard.  My strength is rejuvenated, as the mystery encompassing me unfolds.  My destination was not the morbid scene taking place behind me, but the path that lay ahead.  With new found feet that moved with ease, I walked in the direction of the balminess.

                 What is life?  Is it no more than an infinitesimal, linear span of what we refer to as time?  In a place where time has no meaning, I’m witnessing firsthand, miraculous additions to the definition of life.  Gone forever is birth, rebirth or death.  No longer is it what I can see, touch or hear…No more contained in what is right or wrong.  A new dimension is shedding a rich understanding, that life is a never-ending journey, paved with redemption and second chances.  Quite possibly, this time I will succeed." 

Text: ©GlenMarcus 2013
Publication Date: 04-18-2013

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Dedication:
To a man that knew how to plow with a mule, fish with passion and gave me knowledge you can't learn in books