Existentialism

According to Jean-Paul Sartre

Existence precedes essence,

We are all condemned to be free,

We are born into a world of others

And our freedom is our curse.

The question “What am I?”

Is the question “What do I want?”

And yet this question eludes us

Because it assumes a singular answer.

So I will take a step back

And observe the question from a distance

*

I will stand outside and watch

As you run towards me.

without moving I will watch

You run and fall

And lie face down in the dirt

And I will watch you as you lie there

Watching the dirt.

I will stand there for hours watching you lie there

Face down in the dirt.

Without moving I will watch you lie there

Wondering if this is what it means to be human

And then I will lie down next to you and we will wait

For the sun to go down

As we precede our essence

And are condemned by our freedom.