Lamentations of Camus

by Larry Chamberlin   Aug 15, 2015


Gods wage war with dice
over the fates of men;
cruel and merciful alike
play this macabre game.

No kind lord shepherds
this flock lost in the wild;
crusty warriors drink wine
from skulls of their faithful.

Fates measure suffering
call it a man's lifespan
but rather than cutting it
they flay cord til it breaks.

Lying beyond is no mercy
but only gray lands at best
with suffering enhanced
for the unlucky sinners.

Renounce the world,
all is Maya - illusion;
agony and joy fleeting
breath caught by wind.

Accept that all we know
is absurd and false;
brings no salvation, but
surcease from the wheel.

Take the first step into
your nihilistic destiny
with the truest wisdom:
laughing in existential

irony.

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Latest Comments

  • 9 years ago

    by Meena Krish

    Gods wage war with dice
    over the fates of men;
    cruel and merciful alike
    play this macabre game.

    ^^Hmmm its them and their doings which puts us in situations and when we head in that direction it is said its our fate! On God's behalf he can be very testy and at the same time giving us chances to discover ourselves!

    Fates measure suffering
    call it a man's lifespan
    but rather than cutting it
    they flay cord til it breaks.

    ^^I agree with this!

    Renounce the world,
    all is Maya - illusion;

    ^^In our religion the first thing that is taught to us its all an illusion, Maya at its best. So feeling sad, happy and all the emotions that we go through is part and parcel but at the same time it all Maya for we only feel it more because it has happened to "me". This is a very profound stanza you have penned followed by the last two. It is a way to make the reader sit back and think..as sad and frustrating it is-this is life.

    God knows if anything I've written here makes sense or its just another rambling of a woman!

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