The Professor
There once was a professor who asked his class one day
An existential question, in my mind it will remain
“Between two separate worlds, in which would you live?
A world with pain to endure, or one with pleasure to give?”
But the question did not come without its own share
Of abstract complexity, courtesy of a philosopher’s due flair
Both worlds would be illusory, nothing real— only fake
Inauthentic existence, no possibility of escape
At this point he asked, “which one would you choose?”
And a student replied, “not the one where you lose”
“It’s easy” he exclaimed, “who would rather the pain?
Surely one would elect the world that was comfortable and sane”
But to this response I felt I was less than convinced
Because to live a life of illusion is to never Exist
“I wouldn’t have a preference”, I said with confident despair
“living means nothing if We are not Truly There”
The Professor paused for a moment, “You and Socrates would be friends”
As the class grew silent, he stared with half a grin
This was the day that profoundly changed my life
To question what I value, and to awaken my own mind
I now accept the fear that comes with heavy questions
And I admit I’m just as stubborn in my beliefs upon reflection
But that is not to say that your efforts were in vain
You taught me the Love of Wisdom is a love that will remain
Seven years have passed yet the wonder hasn’t faded
Abstract thoughts still floating in the ether often jaded
By the heaviness of life, and the finitude of Time
But the quest for the Infinite is still burning, soul and mind
And so I thank you for that day, because you showed me who I was
I am the the optimistic pessimist, or maybe the pessimistic optimist?
An existential question, in my mind it will remain
“Between two separate worlds, in which would you live?
A world with pain to endure, or one with pleasure to give?”
But the question did not come without its own share
Of abstract complexity, courtesy of a philosopher’s due flair
Both worlds would be illusory, nothing real— only fake
Inauthentic existence, no possibility of escape
At this point he asked, “which one would you choose?”
And a student replied, “not the one where you lose”
“It’s easy” he exclaimed, “who would rather the pain?
Surely one would elect the world that was comfortable and sane”
But to this response I felt I was less than convinced
Because to live a life of illusion is to never Exist
“I wouldn’t have a preference”, I said with confident despair
“living means nothing if We are not Truly There”
The Professor paused for a moment, “You and Socrates would be friends”
As the class grew silent, he stared with half a grin
This was the day that profoundly changed my life
To question what I value, and to awaken my own mind
I now accept the fear that comes with heavy questions
And I admit I’m just as stubborn in my beliefs upon reflection
But that is not to say that your efforts were in vain
You taught me the Love of Wisdom is a love that will remain
Seven years have passed yet the wonder hasn’t faded
Abstract thoughts still floating in the ether often jaded
By the heaviness of life, and the finitude of Time
But the quest for the Infinite is still burning, soul and mind
And so I thank you for that day, because you showed me who I was
I am the the optimistic pessimist, or maybe the pessimistic optimist?
