Fiona FennellWE ALL have the aspiration to achieve academic success and ultimately material comfort as we get older. To achieve these goals we follow the cycle of sitting exams and struggling through job interviews to land that perfect managerial position. Then follows the endless rigours of working longer hours and being promoted and rewarded for lifetime accomplishments.
However, the poet G.K. Sammy asks a relevant question in his title poem "and then what"?
The poet probes the minds of youngsters to ascertain the real meaning of life and the relevance of "going through the motion" of working, having children and then growing old and dying, what happens next?
Every day we learn of a new death in our country and we give the common sigh of sadness for a precious life taken. What happens when death is suddenly among our friends and relatives? Not many teens stop to ponder the inevitability of death and the finality it brings, especially if there is no bright future for that person in the after-life. We are too caught up with having fun that is not really fulfilling. We are only forced to deal with these issues if someone close to us has been struck down. It is only logical to reason that there is more to life than the material pleasures we seek and that life is precious and fleeting.
How many of us stop to admire and appreciate the beauty of the sunset or mountains that God created? We are consumed by wordly gain that we forget to nurture our souls. Why be the president of the largest company if you are a devil at heart?
Take the time to show more love and thank God for sustaining us each day. It is human nature to plan for the future, but no one knows what tomorrow will bring.
So, instead of consuming yourself with getting an A or another dollar, tell your family and friends how much you love them, just in case you never get to say it tomorrow.
Fiona Fennell is a uwi student and one of several writers whose opinions will appear in this slot each week.
