What If We Stopped Asking “What-If Questions”
A short poem on asking too many questions about life
Last month, I posted a German poem about asking too many “what-if” questions about life (see the link at the end of this post).
One of my readers, Stephen Trevarthen, whose German knowledge was insufficient to understand it fully, commented on the post after translating it via Google.
I was amazed that someone would ever go as far as translating my posts and then even leave a positive comment.
To make a long story short, he suggested I should post an English version of the poem on Medium.
It’s not easy to convey the exact meaning or find the right words in another language — especially if the aim is to end up with a poem that rhymes.
Nevertheless, I did my best, and below is the result — I hope you’ll enjoy the short read 🤗 :
So I asked myself, what if tomorrow never came, Would I regret things not done and face my blame? Hence, on this day, I vow to do all the things I want, As long as I’m alive and have something to flaunt!
What if I didn’t think or worry about everything, Instead, listened to my intuition’s fable string? Then, many things might no longer be a hurdle, And I would be free to live life without a girdle!
What if we were to question everything in life, Primarily, daily matters that are abundantly rife? Then, we may break free and become masters, Rather than slaves, living dogmatic disasters!
What if we came up with a big, audacious goal, Of what we want to achieve in life as a whole? Like a lighthouse, it would guide us on our path, If we were to get lost or fear an unrealistic wrath!
What if we could rid ourselves of all the sorrow, And instead, enjoy life’s marvels before morrow? Most our problems would disappear on their own, Once we avoid all the negative things well known!
So many what-ifs and no one actually gives a fu*k, Life’s happening right now, and we’re dumbstruck! Trying to make sense of it, we’re actually missing out, Cause time’s flying, and we’re just screwing about!
So, let’s enjoy whatever time we have left on Earth, Remember that the post-rain sun gives to joy birth, And that sadness provides fertile soil for happiness, Go, let in the sorrow so you can get rid of angriness!
Enjoy life’s ups and downs, for they provide a frame, Which gives our existence on earth the proper aim, And avoid asking those what-if questions too often, Cause you’re missing out and will soon be in a coffin!
As promised, here is the link to the original article in German:
