My life has been the poem by Henry David Thoreau

My life has been the poem by Henry David Thoreau

My life has been the poem I would have writ,
But I could not both live and utter it. 

     It is frequently the case in poetry that the most powerful verse is also the simplest, most concise thought expressed in a matching brevity.  Thoreau proves this with My life has been the poem, one of the most meaningful ideas I have ever been exposed to, in poetry or any other venue.  Without the pomp and circumstance of many writers (I know, pot-to-the-kettle) he delivers a forced embrace of one's works, both past and future.  With nineteen words he is able to make the reader question his or her life, to make them plan or scheme for something that they have longed for but never really labored towards.  No direct criticism, no appeal to moral or ethical law, no puritanical fervor, but also no praise or commendation is found within these two lines.  A simple statement of reasoning is all that is expressed, and yet a profound effect is produced, not by Thoreau, but by the reader's own perception and belief in the words.  Bouncing to and fro throughout their mind, the poem lends itself as a catalyst, and with one spark of imagination or hope, a conflagration is ignited.  The burning spreads throughout the mind-scape, giving precedence to forgotten memories and dreams, clearing the detritus from the neural pathways and allowing regrowth to take over and flourish.  Inspiring, potent, and most of all provoking, My life has been the poem by Henry David Thoreau is a classic of American poetic style, and one of the greatest poems of all time.

Alive (written by Kenny Chesney, Dean Dillon and Mark Tamburino, performed by Kenny Chesney and Dave Matthews)

Alive (written by Kenny Chesney, Dean Dillon and Mark Tamburino, performed by Kenny Chesney and Dave Matthews)

So damn easy to say that life’s so hard

Everybody’s got their share of battle scars

As for me, I’d like to thank my lucky stars

That I’m alive and well

It’d be easy to add up all the pain

And all the dreams you sat and watched go up in flames

Dwell on the wreckage as it smolders in the rain

But not me, I’m alive.

And today, you know, that’s good enough for me

Breathing in and out’s a blessing, can’t you see

Today’s the first day of the rest of my life

And I’m alive and well

Yeah, I’m alive and well.

Stars are dancin’ on the water here tonight.

It’s good for the soul when there’s not a soul in sight

This boat has caught it’s wind and brought me back to life

Now I’m alive and well.

And today, you know, that’s good enough for me

Breathing in and out’s a blessing, can’t you see

Today’s the first day of the rest of my life

And I’m alive and well

Yeah, I’m alive and well.

     This song is an inspirational one-two.  The beautiful rhythm established by the words themselves appears even when the lyrics are read, before they are ever sung.  The imagery of a lone boat on the midnight sea brings an eerie peace to the scene, as if  another plane of existence has been reached by the sailor.  Despite, or rather because of, the lack of people the seascape assumes an aura not of desolation, but of a comforting sense of self, a grasp of one's innate nature and being.  Loneliness gives no excuse to misery, says the song.  Even as one's earthly possessions crumble into ashen dust, life persists to give meaning and purpose, a blessing that endures all other suffering.  Rather than give in to despair, the words espouse that the darkness be embraced, so that all gifts come into clearer focus.  And with this, one can achieve contentment.