What Lies Beyond Truth?

Wednesday 3rd February 2021 12:39 am

Today's blog is a poem (well, two poems actually) where there are two versions of the poem and I have not yet been able to settle my feelings about which version 'wins'. I feel like there should stay two versions of it.

Version 1 – Personal

If Life will be what it has to be,
And Death will come when it comes,
And all the moments that I breathe
Happiness still is mine to give myself,
That makes me free from even needing strength
And yet, is all else moot?
If there were some essential thing we ought not lose
It surely must be Truth.

Truth is more than life, it is my only hope,
The only thing that proves me what I am or was
The only thing I have or own
The life I'll live when my life's done
The truth about me left in this old world.

But if Happiness still is ours to give ourselves,
Right until there's nothing else to think,
Then why do we need truth?
Do I need Truth and what Truth brings?
Am I not yet ready to need nothing?

Version 2 – Inclusive

If Life will be what it has to be,
And Death will come when it comes,
And all the moments that we breathe
Happiness still is ours to give ourselves,
That makes us free from even needing strength
And yet, is all else moot?
If there were some essential thing we ought not lose
It surely must be Truth.

Truth is more than life, it is our only hope,
The only thing that proves us what we are or were
The only thing we have or own
The life we'll live when life is done
The truth about us left in this old world.

But if Happiness still is ours to give ourselves,
Right until there's nothing else to think,
Then why do we need truth?
Do we need Truth and what Truth brings?

It might be because we are not yet ready
To need nothing.

🌷🌷 (11)

meditation truth life death happiness strength hope resilience posterity

◄ The Cause of So Many Tears

Tongue Tied ►

Comments

Aviva Rifka Bhandari

Mon 22nd Feb 2021 18:05

I'll turn it into a tradition:

An extra thank you for everyone who has clicked 'Like' for this poem now that it has reached TWO FLOWERS
? ? ? ? ? ? ?

Aviva Rifka Bhandari

Thu 4th Feb 2021 16:14

Thank you D Joshi, your comment is appreciated, and there does seem to be a clean sweep of slight preference for the inclusive version.

There is a frequent duality in use of 'I' and 'we' wherever I am talking about general issues that affect me because of my humanity, or am talking about the group of 'us' of which I am a unique but similar part. So in that way both of the poems are somewhat personal and somewhat inclusive at a background level, for that reason I might have just went with the 'inclusive' version as the only version.

But I find that one of the side effects of the adjustment from the apparently personal to the clearly inclusive was to lose the sense of the explorative tone, and to end up with something that feels a bit more prescriptive. That's why (since I don't know how to solve that) I think they actually work really well together.

I'm glad that people have preferred the inclusive version as it tells me that the tone of it isn't too off-putting.

D Joshi

Thu 4th Feb 2021 14:06

Both poems are amazing, but i do prefer the in inclusive version. Definitely gives you something to think about. Enjoyed this,
Thank you ?

Joshi

Aviva Rifka Bhandari

Thu 4th Feb 2021 09:48

Thank you to everyone who has clicked 'Like' for this blog.

Aviva Rifka Bhandari

Wed 3rd Feb 2021 22:02

Thank you for commenting Stephen, delusion is quite essential, as essential as eating, but in just the same way some foods are good for us and others can be damaging in either big or small quantities.. delusion is like that, I think. But delusion as you say, is innocent.

Dishonesty is usually not innocent, and when people deny us truth whether it be about ourselves or our surroundings or their intentions then it takes away our freedom to choose fairly. Some people pride themselves on their ability to be dishonest, they have a different value set and see it as a skill - this sort of idea was behind the questioning of myself, do I need truth? should I continue to need it?

Apart from the anguish about To Be (Truthful) or Not To Be...
The other concept (in the first 5 lines) is that we might need nothing at all...money, fame, status, love, comfort, health, luck, even strength, etc.. (because we give ourselves happiness)

Stephen Gospage

Wed 3rd Feb 2021 21:37

I think that we always need truth, uncomfortable though it may be. Otherwise we can be happy while living a lie, although this is not necessarily bad if it doesn't impact on others. There's something to be said for innocent delusion.

Aviva Rifka Bhandari

Wed 3rd Feb 2021 14:54

Thank you J.D for your valued opinion, It's wonderful to know what each reader is thinking, whichever of them kindly let's me know (and takes the time to), to each comment I will gratitude show (at least I try to).

J.D. Bardo

Wed 3rd Feb 2021 12:29

Aviva, I prefer the inclusive. But not being good with decisions, my choice was elusive. Thank-you for todays contribution. You are a valued member of our institution. J.D.

Aviva Rifka Bhandari

Wed 3rd Feb 2021 11:50

Thankyou Adam,

Happiness we can give ourselves, but sadly truth isn't always in our control and it can create havoc in people's lives when that happens. I've always thought honesty is the first form of respect for ourselves and others, and truth is the fabric of our real existence.

As we can see I'm still not ready to need nothing, but I explore this theme further in another poem posting soon.

Adam Whitworth

Wed 3rd Feb 2021 11:34

Hi Aviva.
Very thoughtful and interesting writing.

Both happiness and truth are ill-defined concepts. If I had to compare and contrast the result would be messy.

Personally, I suspect the pursuit of truth has little effect on my level of happiness. There's no conflict between them, they are on the same side.

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