Nothing Lasts Forever

In the beginning there was nothing. All existence summed up equals to nothing. Nothing lasts forever. Embrace nothing.

...

Morning, Saturday. There’s silence and then H says that contrary to popular belief the problem is that intelligent people think everyone else is as intelligent as them, when the evidence shows otherwise. (Some hours ago we had been in the company of a very intelligent man.) And that maybe the reason why human civilization is facing such a massive crisis.

There is silence.

We could sit and think for an eternity but the empty cups and the grocery call. So eternity gets disrupted.

…

The man before me at the express line at the grocery store has forgotten his pin number. As the seconds tick, time seems to stretch till an eternity. He fumbles again. And yet again. And then again. Then in a moment of desperation he mumbles, ‘let me try this’ and in a couple of seconds the ordeal is over for him.

I am in no hurry. Perhaps an eternity ago I had been rushing; grabbing keys and bags, walking at a brisk pace, dumping potatoes and carrots in the basket. Until I came upon this moment: nothing stretching to eternity.

…

Midday, Saturday. Email from G. Almost four years since we’ve (physically) met– one day same city, the next different continents that sort of thing. But for shared thoughts.

Human thought transcends time and space (and every other human construct). It is the only thing that bridges the void. In five minutes one can encompass eternity and beyond. Or 'see' a friend many miles away.

…

In the background a guitar has been strumming Pink Floyd’s ‘Wish You Were Here’ for the past few minutes. C D Am G D C Am G.

A male House Finch is sitting on the porch railing quietly, taking a breather from his exuberant recital. Is he also listening? Strange notes stirring some ancient memory perhaps.

...

"The World is not Conclusion

A Species stands beyond–

Invisible, as music–

But positive, as sound–
It beckons, and it baffles–
Philosophy–don't know–
And through a Riddle, at the last

Sagacity, must go–…

Narcotics cannot still the Tooth

That nibbles at the soul–"

 – Emily Dickinson

…

Another sound beckons. The kettle whistles, a positive reminder that I will soon drink mint tea thereby doing something that I don’t need to do, yet I do when I have nothing else to do. 

It is something I do everyday.

…

Evening, Saturday. Dry air crackles. Lighting and thunder. Rain. The dogs and their walkers are running back. The birds are snuggling in the lilac bushes. The kids are laughing, their skateboards held over their heads. Text from P rescheduling dinner. Even the sunset is cancelled today.

Everything is interrupted, except for the drinking of tea.

In the end, only nothing lasts forever.