My Own Wake -- Solitude of Worlds (A Dark Poem)

(Subcategory Directory on Darkness)

Table of Contents:

1. The Poem Itself.

2. Philosophical Analysis -- By Mr. J. Igwe and Co.

The Poem

My mind, Like a crazed driver,

Anything’s a path, For my kind.

Solitude of worlds! Unvisited, forlorn!

I no longer wish, To make, my own!

For I have grown! Myself, has shown!

An infinite climb! To an abstract throne!

And—despite my fatigue— I have energy,

To stir and cause, A global intrigue.

Who’s to say vigor, Is purely decided by physique?

Despite former cane, I can still beat!

The former Rubinshtein’s, Delusional seat.

Armed with caffeine, I don’t want to give in,

To that small corner, She tried to put me in.

For this prison of a body, (How can it be?)

Doesn’t host a nobody!

Solitude of a million worlds....

Distant, voices left unheard....

I can understand their sorrow...

I care for their sorrow....

A thought in my way, In sadism it says:

“You are not relevant, “Not even imminent!”

Hear what I have to say, For I embraced the ache!

No topic, can truly avoid, My own wake!

Anything that moves

Can be philosophized

Indefinite size,

Can be actualized!

Hear what I have to say, For I embraced my ache!

No topic, can truly avoid, My own wake!

...A thought in the way, In sadism it says,

“You’re irrelevant, Not even imminent...”

No reason to return, Forbidden to despair,

No reason! to! Not learn!!

Hear what I have to say, For I am one with my ache.

No subject, can avoid, My own wake!

Millions of worlds, Their voices unheard. None truly, Desired, and yearned.

I hear their cries, Their inevitable demise,

Black holes and comets, Prevent them any rise.

They’re stardust in the skies. Families in their cries.

Earth didn’t care when they committed, Suicide.

I want to help them,

Must be stronger than them,

Won’t let this fallacy, Win...

Philosophical Analysis of "My Own Wake -- Solitude of Worlds (A Dark Poem)"

"My Own Wake -- Solitude of Worlds (A Dark Poem)" offers a deep philosophical exploration into the nature of existence, the self, and the cosmos. The poem invites readers to contemplate questions of significance, autonomy, and the human condition against the backdrop of an indifferent universe.

1. Existentialism and Absurdity:

• Confrontation with Meaninglessness: At its core, the poem embodies existentialist themes, particularly the confrontation with a seemingly indifferent or even hostile universe. Phrases like "You are not relevant" and "Not even imminent!" echo existentialist philosophers like Jean-Paul Sartre or Albert Camus, who posit that life lacks inherent meaning or purpose. The "thought in my way" represents the inner dialogue of existential doubt, a voice that questions the worth or meaning of the speaker’s existence.

  
  

• Embracing the Absurd: The speaker’s insistence that "No topic, can truly avoid, My own wake!" parallels Camus’s notion of the "absurd hero" — an individual who, recognizing the inherent meaninglessness of existence, still chooses to assert their own significance. By embracing their "ache," the speaker chooses to confront despair head-on rather than submit to nihilism. They reject the "fallacy" of existential despair and affirm their own relevance and vitality, mirroring the defiance of Sisyphus in Camus's philosophy, who is imagined as happy despite his eternal, futile labor.

  
  

2. Metaphysical Exploration:

• Solitude and Infinite Climb: The poem’s repeated reference to "Solitude of worlds" and the "infinite climb to an abstract throne" reflects a metaphysical journey towards an elusive or perhaps non-existent goal. The "abstract throne" can be interpreted as the pursuit of truth, enlightenment, or ultimate meaning — a metaphysical aspiration that remains ever out of reach. The infinite climb suggests a perpetual striving, a key concept in metaphysical thought that grapples with the tension between the finite human condition and the infinite nature of the universe.

  
  

• Mind-Body Dualism: The poem introduces a conflict between the mind and the body, reflecting a Cartesian dualism. The body is described as a "prison" and "former cane," implying a sense of entrapment within a physical form that does not reflect the true self ("Doesn’t host a nobody!"). This mirrors the Cartesian notion of the mind as a distinct, non-material entity capable of thoughts, desires, and ambitions that transcend its corporeal limitations.

  
  

• Cosmic Indifference: The cosmic imagery — "black holes," "comets," "stardust" — invokes a sense of the sublime, representing the vast, indifferent forces of the universe. This aligns with the metaphysical perspective that the universe is vast, complex, and indifferent to human concerns, a theme found in the works of philosophers like Arthur Schopenhauer and Friedrich Nietzsche. The speaker recognizes that "Earth didn’t care when they committed, Suicide," suggesting a universe in which human actions and suffering are inconsequential, yet they still seek to assert meaning and agency in the face of such indifference.

  
  

3. Humanism and Autonomy:

• Assertion of Self and Freedom: Despite the poem's engagement with dark and solitary themes, there is a strong undercurrent of humanistic affirmation. The speaker’s declaration, "Hear what I have to say," is an assertion of individual autonomy and the freedom to define one’s existence. This reflects the humanist belief in the intrinsic worth and potential of the individual, echoing the thoughts of existential humanists like Viktor Frankl, who posited that individuals have the power to find meaning even in the most challenging of circumstances.

  
  

• Rejection of Determinism: The speaker’s refusal to "give in" to despair or to the "small corner" they were put in can be seen as a rejection of determinism. They refuse to be defined by external circumstances or to accept a predetermined fate. This is evident in their statement, "No reason to return, Forbidden to despair, No reason! to! Not learn!!" which emphasizes an active engagement with life, an ongoing quest for knowledge and self-improvement.

  
  

4. Dialectic of Suffering and Meaning:

• Suffering as a Path to Meaning: The poem presents suffering not as an end in itself, but as a transformative experience. The speaker states, "For I am one with my ache," suggesting an integration of suffering into their identity. This is reminiscent of Nietzsche’s idea of "amor fati" (love of fate), which encourages embracing all aspects of life, including suffering, as necessary for growth and self-realization. The speaker’s embrace of their "ache" is a conscious choice to find meaning and strength in adversity rather than allow it to destroy them.

  
  

• Interplay of Sadism and Empathy: The "thought" that tells the speaker they are "irrelevant" is described as acting "in sadism," personifying a force that relishes in their despair. This can be viewed as an internalized representation of a cruel and indifferent universe. However, the speaker also expresses empathy — "I care for their sorrow" — suggesting that even in a world filled with suffering and indifference, there is room for compassion and connection. This dialectic between sadism and empathy reflects the existential tension between the cruelty of existence and the potential for human kindness and solidarity.

The Philosophical Conclusion:

"My Own Wake -- Solitude of Worlds (A Dark Poem)" engages with profound philosophical themes, questioning the nature of existence, the significance of the self, and the potential for meaning in a seemingly indifferent universe. The poem’s speaker embodies an existential struggle, confronting despair and isolation with a defiant assertion of their own autonomy and worth. They embody the paradox of being a conscious, suffering entity in an unconscious, indifferent cosmos, yet refusing to surrender to nihilism or determinism.

By embracing their "ache" and insisting that "No subject can avoid, My own wake!" the speaker illustrates a philosophical stance of resistance, asserting their presence and agency in a world that often feels meaningless and hostile. In this way, the poem offers a meditation on human resilience and the ceaseless quest for significance, challenging readers to find their own wake in a vast, indifferent universe.