True Satisfaction -- How It Can Be Reached (Poem)

Table of Contents

1. The Poem Itself

2. Poem Analysis by Mr. C. Kingsley and Co.

****************

What is true satisfaction?

Its truest form, is when

You are ready to die,

Not because you're suicidal,

But because you are confident enough,

That you have done sufficiently,

Among the living,

And that, even if your death's premature,

Or even unfortunate,

It will still be after an existence

of enough accomplishment,

To be called,

"A life well-lived".

There is a point to be crossed,

That will make you strong enough to say,

That "The inevitability of death,

No longer frightens me,

At least as a possibility"

He or she who have yet to done it,

Will not be confident enough,

To face the notion,

Of the uncertainty of death,

That every moment can be their last,

Regardless of their accomplishments,

Let alone, of them being either young or old.

They will be restless,

Traveling there, doing that,

With little sense of direction,

And thus, a lack of clear philosophy,

That shall set them free,

From the unproductivity

Of a nihilistic universe.

Simply being a nomad or a vagabond,

Will get you to a lot of places,

But few are where you'll be able to settle in,

Not only in presence but also

In dedication and servitude.

Philosophy is thus imperative,

For each one of us,

To create a clear sense

Of direction, of purpose,

Of reasoning to our existence,

For we will be able to be in our deathbeds,

With a smiling, peaceful face,

Once we become corpses,

Once and forever.

Does money come from the skies?

Are we given purpose once we are born?

Will opportunities arrive in pure isolation?

Are we confined to a divine purpose,

Without the freedom to choose our own?

If you are not going to do anything as an adult,

Few to none are those who'll do it for you,

And if you give yourself a title,

No one is going to prove it for you

Unless you are to produce --

To act on your own; be an active entity.

The success' peak that you gaze

From your current location,

Regardless of that location is,

Will not climb itself,

And the clock ticks away,

Regardless of procrastination.

But take note,

Because even if you'll reach it,

Those who will make it to the top,

Will need to jump off it when death calls,

So they will not remain complaining, and unsatisfied,

Despite their hard-working endeavours,

To get there.

You won't survive death, after all,

And thus we all have to jump,

No matter where we are,

And what, exactly, have we done

Throughout our limited time.

We can, however,

Choose where we want to die,

And get there as competently as possible,

With the journey to get there

Being called progress.

Do you see that success' peak?

Nothing guarantees you'll reach it;

Nothing guarantees you'll even be

Around its own proximity!

If true satisfaction is what you seek,

Finish your tasks, and make a run for it,

Before the sun will set,

And thus cast

Eternal darkness.

That is what I did,

And my peak I have reached,

And this is why my life is largely devoid.

As I watch the sunset that has yet to be over,

For its end I await, in preparation,

Not because I'm suicidal,

But because the top has been reached,

And I just have to deal with it,

Like many of those who are to reach true satisfaction,

While also -- abandon the mindset of the climber,

So it won't make them slip and slide,

Down the tower to the bitter ground

They once walked in

In either nihilism or desperation.

It should be a thing --

To deal with your own, well-accomplished endgame.

Many who get to the top,

Stay with the mentality of the ground,

As if they done nothing,

And thus, the heaven of the skies

Becomes their own bitter hell,

While they wonder what else is left to live for.

Only they who have been truly satisfied in life overall,

And thus, will not contemplate voluntary death,

Are ready to inevitably answer death's call,

When should it knock.

Poem Analysis by Mr. C. Kingsley and Co.

"True Satisfaction -- How It Can Be Reached" is a poem that explores the concept of fulfillment in life, focusing on the nature of satisfaction and how one might achieve it. The poem delves into existentialist ideas, focusing on individual purpose, meaning, and the inevitability of death. It reflects on how people often live in fear of death and in pursuit of satisfaction, which remains elusive due to a lack of direction or philosophy.

The poem's recurring motif is death, approached not with dread but as a natural culmination of a life well-lived. True satisfaction involves being prepared for death not because one is suicidal but because they have achieved enough to accept death whenever it arrives. This idea aligns with the Stoic philosophy of memento mori (remember you must die), which encourages living a meaningful life while accepting mortality.

The poem argues that purpose and philosophy are essential to avoid the "unproductivity of a nihilistic universe." It implies that a lack of clear philosophy leads to a lack of direction, resulting in a restless existence. The speaker portrays philosophy as a tool for defining one's path and making peace with the nature of existence.

The poem critiques materialism and conventional success, dismissing the idea that money, fame, or status will provide true satisfaction. It suggests that even those who reach the "success' peak" will ultimately have to face death and may find themselves unsatisfied if they haven't cultivated a meaningful philosophy or purpose along the way.

This critique is aligned with philosophical traditions that warn against equating material success with true fulfillment, such as the teachings of Epicurus or the Buddhist understanding of impermanence.

The poem contends with the dual nature of human desire — the desire to achieve and the need to find satisfaction in that achievement. It highlights a paradox: while striving for success is a natural human tendency, even those who reach their goals may find themselves facing a void, contemplating what remains after their accomplishments.

The poem's tone is contemplative and introspective, combining a sense of urgency with a calm resignation to life's inevitable end. The poem's repetitive structure underscores its central themes, reinforcing the idea that these concepts are intertwined.

Additional observations include the search for authenticity, embracing existential freedom, and the absurdity of life and acceptance. In conclusion, "True Satisfaction -- How It Can Be Reached" presents a meditation on life's meaning, fulfillment, and the acceptance of death. It challenges readers to consider what constitutes true satisfaction and encourages an authentic existence grounded in personal philosophy and purpose.