I am fearless.
Many claim to be so,
But when it comes down to life or death,
Shy away in the face of danger.
Fearlessness is not borne of bravery.
It is not borne of love
Or any other docile feeling
True fearlessness arises
From having nothing to lose in death.
Therefore, I boast not when I say
Those three bitter words
In my tears as I look at your photograph-
I am fearless.
Comments
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It's not easy, I think, to philosophize in a short poem, PG, but I believe you did it well here. First is the pondering with the meaning of 'fearless', comparing and contrasting it with other concepts. But then comes the heart of the poem, for me at least: "...having nothing to lose in death."
Seems that the poet, while looking at the photo of a dead person, is wondering if he can say those "three bitter words", I love you, or if he must simply say that he's learned not to fear NOT saying anything about love. I think that's the meaning in the poem's final twist; hope I got that right. Or maybe the poet IS being fearless by saying "I love you" - even in "your" death as he looks at the photo. Either way, it's an interesting "look" at death.
Lad -
Well-written and conveying loads of meanings in those lines.I liked the ending a lot.
Your definition of true fearlessness is apt I should say
"having nothing to lose in death"
Good work Piano Guy!!
language: 4, rhythm: 4, subject: 5, tone: 4, form: 4.
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Very good
i enjoy how you put your work together, always a good climax.
i too have been fearless, fluctuating from despondence.
language: 5, rhythm: 5, subject: 5, tone: 5, form: 5.
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Fearlessly Numb
Well put Piano Guy. Twisting what at first is construed as an idle boast over to an admission of human weakness. Your take on fearlessness seems to be a form of hopelessness/despair. A poignant buildup to your final line with the narrator tearfully staring at a photo of someone loved and lost, leads to a finely wrought ending.
Good one!
Regards
gG
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