Immortal

one day you will no longer be here.

that is an obvious truth

but let it sink in.

ponder it.

consider what that truly means.

someday 

in the very near future

you will leave this place,

destined for whatever comes next,

without your physical form

all of what you believe is important now

will have no bearing then:

the man or woman that you love or hate;

your favorite television show

or pair of shoes;

the thoughts you have that you believe are poignant

all of it will matter to no one

because you will not matter.

you will be remembered no more than

the speck of dust that blew in the wind

two wednesdays ago in front of a pizza shop

in the center of manhattan 

you are no more significant 

no more unique

than a grain of sand

of the great sahara 

not even your great-great-great grandchildren

will remember you

unless you leave something great behind

as a reminder 

what will you leave behind??

how will you benefit the world??

what will make you immortal??

M. Ansari 2024