Life
Embracing Shadows: Nosce Teipsum's Poetic Reflection on Life's Abyss
Lyrics
How can the tree but waste and wither away
Life is compared to a tree that wastes away without the occasional comfort of the sun.
That hath not some time comfort of the sun?
Emphasizes the importance of finding solace or joy, drawing parallels between life and the sun.
How can the flower but fade and soon decay
The flower symbolizes life, questioning its purpose if constantly overshadowed by dark clouds and destined to fade.
That always is with dark clouds overrun?
Continues the metaphor, suggesting a life plagued by persistent difficulties and challenges.
Is this a life? No, death you may it call
Posits that a life devoid of joy and filled only with pain can be equated to death.
That feels each pain and knows no joy at all
Life is portrayed negatively, emphasizing suffering and the absence of joy.
What foodless beast can live long in good plight?
Raises the question of the sustainability of a life without nourishment or fulfillment.
Or is it life where sense there be none?
Questions whether life truly exists in the absence of sensory experiences.
Or what availeth eyes without their life
Challenges the value of eyes that lack the essence of life or meaningful experiences.
Or else a tongue to him that is alone?
Raises the issue of communication, suggesting a tongue is meaningless in isolation.
Is this a life? No, death you may it call
Reiterates the theme that a life filled only with pain and devoid of joy can be likened to death.
That feels each pain and knows no joy at all
Emphasizes the bleakness of a joyless existence, reinforcing the comparison to death.
Whereto serve ears if that there be no sound
Questions the purpose of ears if there is no sound to hear.
Or such a head where no device doth grow?
Raises the issue of a mind without creativity or ideas, challenging the significance of such a life.
But, of all plaints, since sorrow is the ground
Highlights sorrow as the fundamental cause of heartache and suffering in life.
Whereby the heart doth pine in deadly woe?
Points to sorrow as the root cause of profound emotional distress and misery.
Is this a life? No, death you may it call
Reiterates the assertion that a life filled with pain and devoid of joy is tantamount to death.
That feels each pain and knows no joy at all
Underscores the theme of a joyless existence, aligning it with the characteristics of death.
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