Persisting as Consumed
Let's workshop this poem about the semantics of persistence in the context of being consumed
Persisting as Consumed Only he who resists has the task of having to endure, yet for you to give in completely (with no resistance, at least while still being you) would mean persisting—if any sense remains of persisting— as he who completely gives into (the lion, the wind, the truth).
"Persisting as Consumed" is a philosophical and deeply introspective poem that grapples with the complex relationship between resistance, surrender, and the nature of selfhood in the face of overwhelming forces. It functions as a **meditation on identity and agency**, exploring the paradox that true "persistence" might sometimes lie not in active opposition, but in complete absorption. The poem's power resides in its abstract yet precise language, which compels the reader to confront fundamental questions about existence and will.
Formally, the poem is structured around a central paradox, expressed through conditional statements and rhetorical inversions. The opening lines establish the initial premise: "Only he who resists / has the task of having to endure." This sets up resistance as a burden, a continuous struggle. The poem then pivots with "yet for you to give in completely," introducing the counter-argument. The parenthetical clauses ("with no resistance, at least / while still being you" and "if any sense / remains of persisting") are crucial, introducing the core tension: can one truly "persist" if one is no longer discernibly "you"? The enjambment throughout the poem creates a flowing, contemplative rhythm, mirroring the abstract thought process. The final line employs a powerful tripartite analogy—"(the lion, the wind, the truth)"—to represent the overwhelming forces one might surrender to, ranging from the concrete (lion, wind) to the abstract (truth), each implying a different form of consumption or assimilation.
Thematically, the poem delves into the nature of **selfhood and annihilation**. It challenges the conventional wisdom that resistance is always virtuous or necessary for survival. Instead, it posits that complete surrender, a dissolution of the individual will, might paradoxically be a form of "persisting"—a continuation not as an independent entity, but as part of the consuming force. This idea touches on themes of **existential dissolution, ego death, and the blurred lines between subject and object.** The "lion" suggests physical consumption and becoming part of the devourer; the "wind" implies a dispersal and integration into a larger, formless entity; and "the truth" suggests a complete intellectual and spiritual absorption, where individual perception is subsumed by an overarching reality. The poem ultimately leaves the reader with a profound and unsettling question: what remains of "you" when you are entirely consumed, and is that remaining essence still a form of persistence? It forces a re-evaluation of what it means to "endure" or "be," suggesting that identity is far more fluid and permeable than commonly perceived.
philosophical poetry, identity, selfhood, resistance, surrender, agency, existentialism, paradox, annihilation, consumption, dissolution, ego death, truth, will, introspection, abstract thought, human condition, meaning of existence.