Geist
We are formless given form.
We are so much mass; weight, and tissue.
We are chemical signals; colours, and scents.
Electrons ATTRACTING and REPPELLING.
We are want and need made manifest, thrown to a blinding; lashing storm.
Of hunger.
Of thirst.
Of desire.
Of so much pain and so much pleasure.
We are sorrow and fear and joy and triumph.
A fleshy mound given form and thought.
Language to express these thoughts.
Empathy to embody them.
We are monsters and myth.
We are legends and fables.
We are all of these things and more.
Yet easily we forget.
We are nothing, too.
@Dingleboop I absolutely love the raw, honest energy in this poem. There's something uniquely captivating about how it delves into the paradox of existence—how we're these intricate beings made of mass, weight, and tissue - a scientific marvel in our own right, yet in the end, we’re nothing at all. The theme of duality between form and formlessness is striking. The imagery is both vivid and visceral, particularly the contrast between the physical (hunger, thirst, pain) and the intangible (thought, empathy, legend). The structure is spot on, too—how it builds these layered ideas before landing on that quiet yet powerful final line-- “We are nothing, too.” It leaves you with this profound sense of both significance and insignificance. Not sure why, but this poem reminds me of Sartre’s "Existence precedes essence." Maybe because, in the end, we’re nothing—no set purpose or meaning. And it's up to us to create something out of nothing.
@azurePond
Thank you so much for reading and responding, this means more to me than you know. It's hard to describe my process, but I definitely lean toward scene and theme more so. It's wonderful to hear how you felt similar things reading it as I did writing it. Thank you 🥹🥲
@Dingleboop
Awesome piece you have made. I absolutely love the way you have played with the structure and incorporating font size/display and colour to enhance this beautifully constructed poem. It is artful and very clever. I appreciate how the lines grow briefer yet more majestic and grand as we glide towards that final, tiny, italicised line which reminds us of how small a part we are.
Also, I feel it caries more weight than we might at first imagine. We have been taken through a journey of the existential wonders of us, yet that final line does not just ground us and remind us of humility, it also feels tinged with the empty sorrow of one who can accept in principle all that is good and great and yet may feel divorced from it. I do so love a poem with layers.
@BastionKnight
I look up to you immensely, after only reading so little of your work. This means so much to me that you took this in, wow. Thank you, so much.
@Dingleboop
I am honoured by your words, and think it was very sweet of you to say them. Thank you, they warmed my heart to hear.
*Smiles*
@Dingleboop
Heya Dingle, yay you’re here! 😊
I love how this poem is raw and direct, love the diversity of forms too. The line “We are formless given form” immediately took me back to those moments when I’ve felt like I don’t quite fit, like I’m searching for a shape that doesn’t quite exist.
Thanks for reminding me to appreciate the fleeting nature of things. Keep on writing! 😊
@ZenArashi
Hiya! Thanks so much for directing me here and showing me this little slice of 7cups! You are all so talented, I can't wait to absorb all of this energy.
Thank you so much for reading! 🥹🙌
@Dingleboop
wow 🙀
I loved the way you changed up the fonts and length of the stanzas it really brought the poem together! What inspired you to write this piece of work?
@twerp
Thank you!
As to answer your question; I write a lot of poetry. Some bad, some okay. This was my latest piece, I was prompted to share in a sharing circle chat and was then directed by ZenArashi to this forum. I will usually only post anything with absolute anonymity but this time I figured... Let's do it.
I was dumped. Again, this time it hurt more than usual, circumstances as they were my entire life would have to change very rapidly. I was struggling with the idea of starting over, and possibly failing...again. I was struck by the feeling of never amounting to much to anyone.. and living what the little monster in my head calls, "a pointless existence." But this time I answered with a question. So what if it's pointless? So where do we come from, and where do we all end up? So what if it hurts, or doesn't, or I fail. In the grand scheme of things I barely register as a blip to the universe. Why not try to let go of the fear then, even a little?
@Dingleboop
One, I encourage you to continue to post and write in the forums because as soon as I read your writing I was instantly inspired and in awe. I am young by many many manyyyyyyy years so I hope as I age and gain experience as a poet I can write with such passion and emotion as you do. Two, it was beautiful how you out your own situation into writing. I applaud you for finding another way to look at the world and your place in it. Realizing your pain is small, even though we regret to realize it, compared to the universe. I hope in your current situation you find luck and prosperity. Looking forward to reading your writing again. 😁