Essay | End and Mortality
The world is
a truly harsh place, isn't it?
In any case, this world is difficult to live in.
Speaking of the world,
long ago
I heard something like this.
They say there is no equality in the world.
That the world is built on inequality.
However, is that really true?
Is there nothing given equally?
Something everyone possesses without exception.
What is it that must exist in this world?
I used to think about that.
As time passed,
through contemplation,
I wondered if in this world,
regardless of wealth,
beyond the boundaries of living things,
for all living creatures,
is there something that must exist?
Pondering that,
the answer I arrived at
was that it is death.
All who live must die
All who meet must part
All who flourish must fade
Everyone is born into this world and lives
Only to eventually return to the earth
The body decays and the soul ascends to heaven
It is common to all living things
I believe it is an end that surely comes
I believe it is the only inevitability
No matter how one is born
No matter how one lives
No matter what path of life one follows
Death exists at the destination one must reach
Or rather
Perhaps it is fair to say that the Grim Reaper is always by our side
Neither too close nor too far
But always there
And when the time is right
They swing the scythe they carry
And reap the roots of life
By reaping the roots, the soul is severed from the body
The Grim Reaper guides the soul on its journey to the afterlife
Heaven or the Underworld?
Paradise or Hell?
Limbo or Purgatory?
The Divine Realm or the Demon Realm?
One does not know where they will be invited
But that is told by how one lived
No matter which layer one ends up in
The path one has walked will be reflected
King Enma?
Or perhaps King Minos?
Or maybe Hades or Pluto?
What kind of judgment will be passed?
One cannot know until they have died
The shoji has eyes
The walls have ears
Or perhaps it might be Mary in the shoji
So that one can face the sun without shame
So that one may go anywhere without feeling ashamed
I wish to live in such a way that I can stand with dignity
I want to live
That is all
These were the ramblings of a foolish, carefree, optimistic, and dull ordinary person
I apologize for the nonsense
Since ChatGPT drew a lovely illustration of a grim reaper for me
I will post it here
