One thing that's as certain as your birth is your death.
I've heard this philosophical shibboleth.
I’m counting down minutes. I’m counting down breaths.
I'll take a rain check on this chat; there are tasks to be done.
Temporal grains slip through my grip while you believe you’ll go on.
I’m anxious about yesterday and the week after next.
Death's hand is on you; there’s no severing its grasp.
I'm submerged by my past; drowning in fear of tomorrow.
You're enslaved by your suffering, shackled tight to your sorrow.
I’ve got ample time to figure it out.
Your future—elusive, concepts swirling about.
I'm busy with distractions as a means of escape.
You should get back to living before life slips away.
Yeah, maybe sometime, but today's not that day.
Your final moment is slated down to the second.
I'm too overwhelmed for a moment of reflection.
You can't escape; your final breath will be beckoned.
I've resentment I can't vanquish and battles to fight.
Death is coming just as sure as it’s already arrived.
I've illusions to foster, wounds to hold. I'm scarred by life and can't let go.
The past, just thoughts you allow. Your future, a guess. The living is NOW.
I’m entrenched in this story; it’s all that I know.
All that exists is this moment, and you know your plight.
How can I be freed from these loops when my grip is so tight?
Time is the flame, your life is the wick.
Why is your finger on my pulse?
Tick...tick...tick...tick.
_______________________________________________
About the Creator
Kristen Balyeat
Words fly to me on the wind, bump into me as I'm strolling the city, splash me in the face while I rest by the river, and shake me awake in the middle of the night—I’m humbly one of the vessels they use to come to life.
Also, i love you:)
Reader insights
Outstanding
Excellent work. Looking forward to reading more!
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Heartfelt and relatable
The story invoked strong personal emotions
Compelling and original writing
Creative use of language & vocab
Easy to read and follow
Well-structured & engaging content
Excellent storytelling
Original narrative & well developed characters
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On-point and relevant
Writing reflected the title & theme
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Comments (30)
I didn't realise you were runner up in this challenge as well! (Honestly I didn't realise I was either until someone commented on my story. I haven't been on vocal much the last couple of months 😅). Congratulations Kirsten! And what a poem. I love introspective and almost abstract poems and this one was powerful. My favourite line was: "The past, just thoughts you allow. Your future, a guess. The living is NOW." Such a great way to kind of stratify stages in life in a simple way 👏🏽👏🏽
Great poem about musings on mortality. Nicely done!
Very well-deserved place, so pleased for you!
Well deserved placing in the challenge ✅.
Incredibly well done, Kristen. Congratulations!
Wooohooooo congratulations on your win! 🎉💖🎊🎉💖🎊
A spellbinding read! Congrats!!
Congratulations on the runner up win!!!❤️❤️💕
Beautiful poem.
This was so gripping!! You are a phenomenal writer! All we have is this moment…. Love love love!
I love it
You capture the attention immodestly with the topic …but that ending , wow loved how you left on that note Absolutely love this piece
What a gorgeous piece! Well deserving of the Top Story badge, congrats! I loved the images and emotions you created. I'll read this one several times over, for sure!
Wow what a brilliant end, I really enjoyed this piece
Nice creative flow 👏 Kristen . Congratulations on your top story 💯
Back to say congratulations on your Top Story! 🎉💖🎊🎉💖🎊
I too feel a struggle to take a moment and look around at my life in the moment. Sometime I feel like I'm rushing everything I want out of my life before the end comes that I forget I'm rushing to the end just the same. Well written, and congratulations on Top Story.
Love this! Relatable to many, I'm sure.
Not surprised to see this get Top Story, pal. Well done. I am sure I called it!
Fantastic piece. Just beautiful. Well done,.my friend.
Mmffff. "I've resentment I can't vanquish and battles to fight. Death is coming just as sure as it’s already arrived. I've illusions to foster, wounds to hold. I'm scarred by life and can't let go. The past, just thoughts you allow. Your future, a guess. The living is NOW." You *nailed* it.
Well-wrought! Death is no end to Life, only the transformation thereof, a will to give the self in the name of love.
And here she is to blow us all off our feet with her wonderful command of language and insight! This is far too relatable. Welcome back and what a way to come back. I'll be back undoubtedly to read this a few more times and to congrat you when you get Top Story, Kristen!
Time is the flame, your life is the wick Beautifully put! Another brilliantly penned poem Kristen 🤍🌟🫶🏻
Noooooooo I frequently feel the tick tock and have to take a deep breath.😳