What Are We To Do In This Earthly Life

What Are We To Do In This Earthly Life

Dare we see justice is oft overdue
Wherein earth's cold brings its sadder chill dews
Up higher where mountain gives its hard frost
Wander lost souls about completely lost.
Mankind, savage beast crying all alone
Wondering just where the hell love has gone
Has it gone wayward, far out lost at sea
Or does the hidden spirit up and flee.
Why does man's Fate dare to such darkness hold
As a punishment to mankind be sold
Is true we should Heaven then ourselves turn
Or face unholy hell to always burn.

What are we to do in this earthly life?
To avoid its deep darkness and great strife?

Robert J. Lindley, Sonnet
Dec. 6th, 1971, age 17
Copyright © | Year Posted 2023

Poem

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Empress Avatar
August 18, 2023 at 12:03 PM
So many resonating thoughts woven in such a seamless and captivating cadence. I love the flow and the rhythm of this. So melodious and beautiful. Profound truth it is so many wander alone, often feeling lost, so many injustices, and i wonder “ what are we to do in this life” so intriguing and philosophical, I loved this
Lindley Avatar
August 19, 2023 at 5:41 AM
Thank you, my friend. I think tens of millions wonder and wander alone. Life and its multitude of vagaries sets the mind to pondering deeper thoughts on its injustices and calamities too. Truth is darkness rules this world. We should stay in the light. God bless.
George Avatar
August 17, 2023 at 6:09 AM
"Mankind, savage beast crying all alone/ Wondering just where the hell love has gone/ Has it gone wayward, far out lost at sea"/ How true! With love gone from the face of the earth, man has become a savage beast. Your cry is a cry rising from every sensitive and virtuous heart. A beautiful poem dear great sonneteer !
Lindley Avatar
August 17, 2023 at 6:57 AM
Thank you, my friend. Yes, when lost in darkness all seems hopeless. Only true faith and God's light can save a soul. But many do not know the great truth and thus do not turn back. Sad that so many live and die not knowing. God bless you.
Seeker Avatar
August 17, 2023 at 3:01 AM
A deep, heartfelt cry of the soul, Robert. We cannot change others but we can certainly look in, within. God dwells in the cave of our heart and if we be still, we can connect with our inner being, which is living light. Questions cease as we become the answer, requiring thereafter no translator.
Lindley Avatar
August 17, 2023 at 5:07 AM
Thank you, my friend. That is so true we all need to connect fully with our inner spirit and follow the path that leads us on. As that path will be faith and God's true light. God bless.
Rodrigues Avatar
August 16, 2023 at 5:13 PM
What are we to do…turn heavenward and never look back! Lot’s wife not our mentor…however our warning!
Lindley Avatar
August 16, 2023 at 5:43 PM
Thank you, my friend. So true heavenward and never look back. A pillar of salt was her fate. Drastic but very effective. God backs his word always. God bless.
Lindley Avatar
August 16, 2023 at 8:20 AM
Yes, Iwas mentally searching a lot about life back then. My father had died 2 years before and my mother and I did not EVER get along.
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