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The value of a human life

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By Christiane WinterPublished 2 years ago 1 min read
Top Story - January 2024
The value of a human life
Photo by Who’s Denilo ? on Unsplash

What is the value of a human life?

It must be high, because we don't have the rights to ourselves.

I can't kill myself, that would be selfish. ___ loves me too much to bear that, i'm told. Not to mention ___, and ___, and ___, and ___ and ___ and ____ and any number of ___'s who assign me as theirs.

Why should I have to stay alive to exist as a commodity for others to consume?

Stay alive, and when you die, machines will keep you sustained until the world has finished with you.

What is the value of a human life, and why has it never been mine to own?

Can we put a price on the love of others? If someday, I am rich enough, if I work hard enough, can I buy them out?

Keep breathing. Keep fighting. Keep working. Keep grinding. You are useful. You have a purpose. You are owned.

The value of my life, disassembled and sold for stock in other peoples hearts. I am ornamental, dusted off like the Sunday Best and worn threadbare.

I didn't sign up to do the repairs.

Free VerseMental Healthslam poetryStream of Consciousness

About the Creator

Christiane Winter

Science fiction, horror, and dark comedy enthusiast. D&D + RPG afficionado. Like all aspiring authors, I have hundreds of stories, and almost none have been finished.

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Outstanding

Excellent work. Looking forward to reading more!

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  1. Eye opening

    Niche topic & fresh perspectives

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Comments (23)

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  • C_M_Estrada2 years ago

    this one!

  • Anna 2 years ago

    Congrats on Top Story!🥳

  • E.K. Daniels2 years ago

    This is dark and cutting and a deep reflection on the commodification of humanity. Well done. I’m glad I found your work!

  • "Enjoying your insightful content! If you're interested in similar topics, feel free to check out my profile for more. Would love to connect and share thoughts!"

  • Test2 years ago

    Superb work! Keep it up—congratulations!

  • Test2 years ago

    This is incredible. I hope you feel proud. This sent my mind spiraling in directions it hasn’t gone before. I’m a survivor of a teenage suicide attempt, and there have been many times in my life when I questioned why I’m here. I’m now one of the happiest people I’ve ever known, which is kinda odd, because my life is “normal.” I do not have it all. I know people who seemingly have it all and they’re miserable. I think the secret is to live for yourself only. Thank you so much for sharing this beautiful literary art with us. I appreciate you. 🩷

  • L.C. Schäfer2 years ago

    Disassembled and sold for stock in other people's hearts - love that bit!

  • I wanted to shout YES! at the end, this is moving and I love it!

  • Toby Heward2 years ago

    Great piece of literature here

  • R.S. Sillanpaa2 years ago

    Thought-provoking work. Thank you for sharing.

  • Erez Gerz2 years ago

    Beautiful and deeply affecting!

  • Jeff koli2 years ago

    Nice one. Congrats.

  • Kodah2 years ago

    💖 Congrats on top story!!💖

  • Outstanding work

  • Perry Minkoff2 years ago

    SO powerful! Wow!

  • A. Lenae2 years ago

    This is stunning in its thoughtful riskiness. Your last statement will stay with me all day and likely much longer than that. The worth of something/someone/ourselves is so complex, and you simplified it in a skilled and lovely way.

  • Cathy holmes2 years ago

    Very nicely done. Congrats on the TS.

  • kp2 years ago

    a stunning meditation. thank you for sharing this.

  • JBaz2 years ago

    More to this than simple words, took me a while to soak it all in. Congratulations

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  • Evelyn Reads2 years ago

    Wow just... wow! At first I almost didn't dare respond. It seems dangerous somehow, and yet your text conveys a feeling I think many of us have experienced. It is also provoking, and seem to "vibrate" somehow. Living only for other people is not a great feeling. I do hope (if the poem reflects your own life) you find your freedom soon, and by that I mean I hope you find joy in living on your own terms. Doing the repairs because you want to, not because someone else told you to. Wishing you luck!

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