Welcome, fellow explorers of language and meaning, to an insightful journey into Sums Paguia’s profound poem, “On Living and Leaving.” This piece of literature invites readers to ponder the very essence of existence, suffering, and the elusive nature of peace. Prepare to delve into its depths, uncover its central ideas, and appreciate the masterful use of literary artistry that makes this poem resonate so deeply.
On Living and Leaving
By Sums Paguia
The ones who live are lost
Of the joys of living. The ones
Who dwell, and continue to strut
Are those who carry sorrow on
Their tired backs. As they ache for
Closure, the universe plays with
Their fate. They drag their tired
Bodies, struggling to move
Forward. Struggling to reach
For the sunset. No. They don’t
Get the privilege to leave. They
Are forced to stay and rot within.
The ones who live die, always, as
The sun rises.
Unpacking “On Living and Leaving”: A Concise Overview
Sums Paguia’s “On Living and Leaving” offers a stark and unflinching look at the human condition, challenging conventional notions of life and death. This powerful poem explores the paradox of existence, where living can feel like a form of loss, and the desire for release is often met with an indifferent universe. It is a poignant reflection on suffering, the burden of sorrow, and the relentless cycle of life that denies true escape.
The poem presents two distinct yet intertwined experiences of humanity. One group, “the ones who live,” are paradoxically “lost / Of the joys of living,” suggesting a profound disconnection from happiness despite their continued existence. The other group, those who “dwell, and continue to strut,” are depicted as carrying immense “sorrow on / Their tired backs,” performing a facade of resilience while internally burdened. Both paths, in Paguia’s view, lead to a state of being “lost” or condemned to suffering.
The central idea of “On Living and Leaving” is the profound sense of being condemned to an existence fraught with suffering, where the universe appears to prolong rather than alleviate pain. This creates a relentless cycle of longing for an end that is perpetually denied. The poem suggests that for some, life itself becomes a prolonged form of dying, a state of being “forced to stay and rot within,” even as the world continues its daily rhythm.
In-Depth Analysis of “On Living and Leaving”
Exploring Themes of Absurdity and Futility
Paguia masterfully establishes a pervasive sense of existential dread and the absurd nature of life. The opening lines immediately introduce a profound paradox:
The ones who live are lost
Of the joys of living.
Here, the very act of living, typically associated with experience and fulfillment, is presented as a state of profound loss. This is not merely a lack of joy, but a deeper, inherent disconnection from it. The poem suggests that for some, the pursuit of happiness itself can be an empty endeavor, leading to a feeling of being fundamentally adrift. This challenges the reader to consider how existence can, for many, be a state of missing something essential, rather than gaining it.
Analyzing the Burden of Sorrow
The poem vividly portrays the crushing weight of sustained suffering through powerful imagery:
The ones
Who dwell, and continue to strut
Are those who carry sorrow on
Their tired backs.
The verb “strut” is particularly insightful here. It implies a performance, a forced display of strength or normalcy, designed to mask the immense internal and external burden. This outward show contrasts sharply with the internal reality of “tired backs,” suggesting a profound exhaustion. The metaphor of “sorrow on / Their tired backs” transforms an abstract emotion into a physical, tangible weight, emphasizing the debilitating and relentless nature of prolonged suffering. It is a constant drag, making every step forward a struggle.
The Universe’s Indifference
A crucial element of “On Living and Leaving” is its depiction of a universe that is not only indifferent but seemingly cruel to human suffering:
As they ache for
Closure, the universe plays with
Their fate.
This line imbues the universe with a chilling agency, portraying it not as a benevolent or even neutral force, but as a detached entity toying with human destiny. The word “plays” is particularly unsettling, highlighting a lack of empathy and a sense of helplessness in the face of cosmic forces. The yearning for “closure,” a desire for an end to pain or resolution, is met with cosmic amusement, underscoring the poem’s bleak outlook on humanity’s place in the grand scheme.
The Cycle of Suffering and Denial
The poem culminates in a profoundly bleak observation about the nature of existence and the denial of release:
No. They don’t
Get the privilege to leave. They
Are forced to stay and rot within.
The ones who live die, always, as
The sun rises.
This is not a conventional statement about mortality. Instead, it suggests that the very act of living, for these burdened individuals, is a continuous process of decay and decline. They are denied the “privilege to leave,” trapped in a state of perpetual suffering. The image of being “forced to stay and rot within” evokes a visceral sense of internal deterioration and trapped existence. Furthermore, the final lines, “The ones who live die, always, as / The sun rises,” present a powerful paradox. The constant renewal symbolized by the rising sun, typically a beacon of hope, becomes a cruel reminder of an inescapable cycle of suffering, where life itself is a prolonged, agonizing death.
Literary and Poetic Devices in “On Living and Leaving”
Enjambment: Creating Flow and Uncertainty
Paguia expertly employs enjambment, the continuation of a sentence or phrase from one line to the next without a pause, to create a sense of relentless flow and unsettling uncertainty. Consider these lines:
Struggling to reach
For the sunset. No. They don’t
Get the privilege to leave. They
Are forced to stay and rot within.
The absence of punctuation at the end of several lines compels the reader to move forward without a natural break, mirroring the inescapable and continuous nature of the suffering described. This technique effectively mimics the feeling of being swept along by forces beyond one’s control, enhancing the poem’s theme of helplessness.
Imagery and Metaphor: Painting a Vivid Picture of Despair
“On Living and Leaving” is rich in vivid imagery and impactful metaphors that paint a stark picture of despair. The metaphor of “sorrow on / Their tired backs” is particularly striking, transforming an abstract emotional state into a physical, debilitating burden. Other powerful visual images include the struggle to “reach / For the sunset,” which evokes a tangible sense of longing for an unattainable end, and the chilling phrase “forced to stay and rot within,” which conjures a visceral image of internal decay and trapped existence. These images work together to create a profound sense of the characters’ internal and external struggles.
Free Verse and Diction: A Conversational Tone with Depth
The poem’s use of free verse, poetry without a strict rhyme scheme or meter, contributes significantly to its direct and conversational tone. This stylistic choice makes the poem feel less like a formal literary exercise and more like a raw, unfiltered expression of profound thoughts and feelings. This accessibility allows readers to connect more intimately with the work’s emotional core. Paguia’s diction, while simple and direct, is carefully chosen for its evocative power, creating a sense of depth and resonance that belies its apparent straightforwardness.
Assonance and Consonance: Subtle Musicality
While “On Living and Leaving” does not rely on traditional rhyme, Paguia subtly employs assonance, the repetition of vowel sounds, and consonance, the repetition of consonant sounds, to create a quiet, underlying musicality. For instance, the repetition of the ‘o’ sound in “The ones who live are lost / Of the joys of living” creates a mournful, echoing quality. Similarly, the recurring ‘s’ sound in “The ones who live are lost / Of the joys of living. The ones / Who dwell, and continue to strut” adds a soft, sibilant texture, enhancing the poem’s somber mood without overt rhyming.
Quotes for Discussion
The following lines from “On Living and Leaving” are particularly powerful and serve as excellent starting points for discussions about the absurdity of life, the nature of suffering, and the human condition:
No. They don’t
Get the privilege to leave. They
Are forced to stay and rot within.
The ones who live die, always, as
The sun rises.
These lines encapsulate the poem’s central themes, offering a bleak yet profoundly insightful commentary on existence. They invite deep reflection on the meaning of life, the relentless grip of suffering, and the search for purpose in a seemingly indifferent universe. Such passages challenge readers to confront uncomfortable truths about human agency and fate.
“On Living and Leaving” by Sums Paguia is a compelling and thought-provoking poem that resonates with anyone who has contemplated the deeper questions of existence and suffering. Through its stark imagery, powerful metaphors, and unyielding tone, the poem offers a unique perspective on the human condition, where life itself can be a burden and release remains an elusive privilege. Exploring its layers reveals a masterful work that continues to challenge and engage readers, solidifying its place as a significant piece for reflection on the complexities of living and the longing for peace.