“. . .the wretchedness of the human existence
. . .the misguided belief that there is glamor in a human life . . .
and that causes like kids, dogs, the poor, can be lived for. . .
. . .and that these make for a life worth living . . .”
I read her, assured of my stands, convinced to disagree,
I know that I live above the misery of nihilism,
For I feel the joy of aliveness. Of purposefulness.
There must be glamor in life.
Timeless time later, an unwelcome mood descends,
One of contemplation, and of ruthless scrutiny.
My joy fades, my stands are shaken.
For what do I live? And for what shall I live?
The comfort of home, of family, of abundance
Defies the excitement that rushes in my veins.
The temptation to let go, to be free,
Would destroy my stand in purposefulness,
And the very bases that nourishes my aliveness.
Yet to what end is a life worth living
To what fight shall my years be worth
Shall I fight for the swines, for the trees, for the poor,
Shall I fight for them all? To what end?
Nkatha Gitonga is a senior at Harvard studying Sociology and Global Health & Health Policy. She works at Argopoint, a Legal Department Management firm in Boston.