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An Existentialist Asks---What Is Life

What is life?

Euphonies, cacophonies and chromosomal anomalies
intertangled destinies and illusive methodologies 

Occurring in obscure dimensionless time
Millenniums fertilized to create the sublime

Perceived by ideations so pure it would seem
To exist beyond mind and to all in between. 

Lingering as lore to an all distant past
There is no redo, there is no redraft.

The questions, the answers so rightly proclaimed
are composed and transported by thoughts still unnamed.

In limited struggle, the moments unspent 
Become the result of a living lament.

In what and wherefore and why and with whom
we unwrap our existence in this paradoxical womb

Can we find meaning, a clear sign that we see
inclusive to all, this existential decree.

From naught made of all and conceived in a star,
we landed on earth, neither near nor afar

For reasons unknown and telegnosis unclear,
These salient projections are all jockeyed by fear

We stand in the way of unknowing surmise
And find the world is still much a surprise.

A quest overwhelming in distressed sanity
For answers not known play havoc to vanity.

To end these remarks with a questionable phrase
all becomes known in 'one of these days.'


SYNOPSIS
From the moment of birth to when we die, life presents us with dilemmas and questions that amuse, titillate and confuse us.  As we get older, we realize that what we thought we knew was all pure conjecture.  This poem is meant to reflect  the myriad of disjointed thoughts that  have run through my mind throughout the years.  The "why me?" and "what is my purpose in life?" questions usually are met with ambiguity and incoherence.
Many of us are beleaguered with these conceits and although some find solace in religion, for people like me it becomes an existential never ending struggle.  

CAK 8-18-2013

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Rob Carmack Date: 2/21/2017 7:49:00 PM Just saw this poem on the featured list and glad I found it. I like your style. The only thing that can end it, is faith. There are all kinds of faith; religious, empirical, etc. Logic can never be an end in itself, only faith can give truth, at least this side of death. Login to Reply

John Loving Iii Date: 10/30/2013 9:22:00 AM And now you ask questions. Questions great philosophers answered and died for. You should know the answer but still one part alludes you. And rightly so. We think alike you and I. Welcome to the soup. Login to Reply Allan Koven Date: 10/30/2013 10:34:00 AM I'm not so sure we do.

Terry O'Leary Date: 9/23/2013 3:17:00 PM A never ending struggle... until it ends... Terry Login to Reply Allan Koven Date: 9/23/2013 3:20:00 PM True, true.

Michael Walkerjohn Date: 9/18/2013 10:22:00 PM Aloha Allan... I enjoyed the word work within this post... In my endeavours the words that I choose offer character and intrigue to the thoughts within the lines... as do yours here... your opening lines are the ones of an in-depth and overwhelming question and very entertaining... a write up to the breath of thought. Thank you for this effort and I will make an effort to read further into messages within your posts... all of the best from this life, to you, and all of your relations... Michael. Login to Reply Allan Koven Date: 9/19/2013 7:54:00 AM Provocative comments, intellectually profound. I will continue to follow your poetry. Make it a good year. Allan

Vic Pister Date: 9/14/2013 10:29:00 AM Alan These questions you pose are THE great eternal questions asked by most of humanity..all valid. Why don't you read my poem "When I Die" and see if you can relate to it Sincerely Vic Login to Reply

Donna Jones Date: 8/27/2013 7:31:00 PM I truly enjoyed your poem Allan...I respect everyone's right to expression...and this is very impressive!...myself...I choose faith...I think the sunrise, sunsets, and the beating of a heart are not randomly accidental...the purpose of life...just to appreciate it and do something positive with it..that simple...but that's me.....all becomes known one of these days ....huh?...really awesome poem...really...read it three times. Login to Reply Donna Jones Date: 8/28/2013 5:52:00 AM Ahhhh..loved the ripple in time come back....you made me smile with my morning coffee......:-) :-) as for borrowing it you'll have to look through the older contests to see who sponsored that one...we had to title our poems that.....but yes our short life is but a ripple in the scan of time no????? You are awesome...have a great day... Allan Koven Date: 8/27/2013 8:14:00 PM I believe too that there is a purpose. It is just that we will never know or understand it. Faith is a wonderful gift and you are fortunate to have it as part of your life. Thank you for checking in. I look forward to hearing from you again. Allan

Just That Archaic Poet Date: 8/22/2013 11:01:00 AM Wow. Just, just...wow. I'm jealous of this poem because I did not write it. It's freaking awesome.Your way with words is just simply masterful. I tip my hat to you sir; excellent poem; I enjoyed every single line :) Login to Reply

Joseph May Date: 8/22/2013 10:59:00 AM an intriguing write Allan....thanks for stopping by Login to Reply

Scott Thirtyseven Date: 8/21/2013 3:49:00 AM It all seems so clearly unclear. Lovely. Login to Reply Allan Koven Date: 8/21/2013 10:09:00 AM Scott, you are right... as is life itself. From the moment of birth to when we die, life presents us with dilemmas and questions that amuse us and confuse us. As we get older, we realize that what we thought we knew was all pure conjecture. This poem is meant to reflect the myriad of disjointed thoughts that have run through my mind throughout the years.

Sean L Sanders Date: 8/20/2013 5:06:00 AM Excellent!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Login to Reply