Known and the Unknown

“For I have known them all already, known them all:

To the countless sharing the space,

On this beautiful planet,

Where all co-exist,

I am a nameless face,

I am one among the crowd,

I am nothing extraordinary,

For the ones that know me,

I am a part of the world where they also thrive,

To some my name,

Would bring, cheer,

To a few, anger,

Yet others, indifference,

“For I have known them all already, known them all:

A part of me exists in all,

A part of them exists in me,

If we look at each other’s positives,

As our own,

We would wholeheartedly appreciate,

Rather than compare and snide,

If we look at each other’s negatives ,

As our own,

We would willingly forgive,

Rather than be mean,

It’s those I know,

I go for love, care and support,

Sometimes they deliver, sometimes they backstab,

For they know my strengths and weakness alike,

The innumerable others sharing the space,

Wouldn’t be bothered much about my presence or lack thereof,

As I go,

“Down, down, down into the darkness of the grave,

I would be satisfied to know,

All’s well in their space,

I can’t help but think,

A part of me exists in all,

And a part of them exists in me.

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Acknowledgements :- Thank you Reena Saxena for running the challenge at Reena’s Exploration Challenge #108. For rules please refer here. Thank you all for stopping by and reading.

The 3 lines of poetry highlighted in bold italics is drawn from :-

• Source: “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock” by T.S. Eliot :-

“For I have known them all already, known them all:

Have known the evenings, mornings, afternoons;

I have measured out my life with coffee spoons.”

• Source: “Dirge Without Music” by Edna St. Vincent Millay :-

“Down, down, down into the darkness of the grave

Gently they go, the beautiful, the tender, the kind;

Quietly they go, the intelligent, the witty, the brave.

I know. But I do not approve. And I am not resigned.”