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A Strange Delight - NaPoWriMo2023 #2
"And if you gaze long enough into an abyss, the abyss will gaze back into you."
- Friedrich Nietzsche, 'Beyond Good and Evil: Prelude to a Philosophy of the Future'.
I never quite understood this phrase,
I guess
I just
never
reached
that phase.
I have definitely gazed into the abyss
at least once
and once is enough;
more is just despair
and less is
blissful ignorance.
I found
that the abyss has
no eyes,
no ears,
no mouth,
no nose
and it didn't matter if I screamed.
And my reaction was:
"well, bugger that".
and somehow looked past
the void.
To see such scenes that be
and felt so free.
As, if nothing matters,
then
there is a wondrous magic in all
that there is;
such delight and dance
in the day to day
as we live anyway.
Beyond Good and Evil,
enraptured by life
and not caring
if such thought
is a strange delight.
- Friedrich Nietzsche, 'Beyond Good and Evil: Prelude to a Philosophy of the Future'.
I never quite understood this phrase,
I guess
I just
never
reached
that phase.
I have definitely gazed into the abyss
at least once
and once is enough;
more is just despair
and less is
blissful ignorance.
I found
that the abyss has
no eyes,
no ears,
no mouth,
no nose
and it didn't matter if I screamed.
And my reaction was:
"well, bugger that".
and somehow looked past
the void.
To see such scenes that be
and felt so free.
As, if nothing matters,
then
there is a wondrous magic in all
that there is;
such delight and dance
in the day to day
as we live anyway.
Beyond Good and Evil,
enraptured by life
and not caring
if such thought
is a strange delight.
Published 2nd Apr 2023
| Edited 15th Apr 2023
Author's Note
Entry #2 for NaPoWriMo 2023.
I had heard that phrase, way before reading 'Beyond Good And Evil' for school.
To start with I hated Nietzsche's writing; too vague and flowery for 'proper'/standard philosophical texts.
It is now one of my favourite, and essential to me, books. With pride placement within my library shelves.
Pictured is the Cover image of the version I treasure: the Oxford World's Classics version.
I had heard that phrase, way before reading 'Beyond Good And Evil' for school.
To start with I hated Nietzsche's writing; too vague and flowery for 'proper'/standard philosophical texts.
It is now one of my favourite, and essential to me, books. With pride placement within my library shelves.
Pictured is the Cover image of the version I treasure: the Oxford World's Classics version.
All writing remains the property of the author. Don't use it for any purpose without their permission.
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The author encourages honest critique.
2nd Apr 2023 9:31pm
Hi Viddax,
I enjoyed that poem. Quoting Nietzsche on your thumbnail drew me in.
It's a poem of two halves. Staring into the abyss, and then beyond the abyss where contentment lives.
I liked the change of tone and your matter of fact style.
Regards,
BITS
I enjoyed that poem. Quoting Nietzsche on your thumbnail drew me in.
It's a poem of two halves. Staring into the abyss, and then beyond the abyss where contentment lives.
I liked the change of tone and your matter of fact style.
Regards,
BITS
2nd Apr 2023 10:48pm
Thanks for the comment.
I think the stance I have adopted might be referred to as 'optimistic nihilism'; that there is nothing but whatever there is or will be, will be positive in most regards!
I almost tried to fit in some rhyme or metaphor into this piece but it just didn't manifest, so I went with the matter-of-fact tone and made peace with it.
I think the stance I have adopted might be referred to as 'optimistic nihilism'; that there is nothing but whatever there is or will be, will be positive in most regards!
I almost tried to fit in some rhyme or metaphor into this piece but it just didn't manifest, so I went with the matter-of-fact tone and made peace with it.
2nd Apr 2023 11:33pm
There's such freedom in not mattering, once we get over the ego-bruise of it. Great contemplative write.
❤️k
❤️k
3rd Apr 2023 00:20am
3rd Apr 2023 00:26am
This moment is all there really is, I think, so to be fully immersed in it creates a kind of magical existence. May as well make it count. Beautifully done.
