“The Breath of Life”
The poem 'The Breath of Life' delves into the internal conflict between the mind and body, illustrating a struggle that is both physical and spiritual. The speaker describes a paradoxical sensation of dryness and drowning, symbolizing a state of existential crisis. This struggle is further complicated by the mind's desire to escape reality, contrasted with the body's instinctual drive to survive. The poem highlights the role of faith and spirituality, as the speaker acknowledges God as the reason for their perseverance. Despite the mind's attempts to suppress the urge to live, the body persistently reminds the speaker of their purpose. The poem uses vivid imagery to convey the tension between the desire for freedom and the physical limitations of the body. Ultimately, it portrays a journey of resilience and faith, where the speaker chooses to fight for life, driven by a higher purpose.
| Word | In English | Plain (English) | Pron. |
|---|---|---|---|
| desert | a dry, barren area | a place with little water and vegetation | deh-zert |
| drowning | suffocating in water | unable to breathe due to being underwater | drow-ning |
| anticipates | expects | expects something to happen | an-tis-uh-pates |
| tangible | real, touchable | able to be touched or felt | tan-juh-buhl |
| submit | give in | to give in or surrender | sub-mit |
| deceives | tricks | tricks or misleads | deh-seevs |
| tethered | tied | tied or connected | teh-thurd |
| urge | strong desire | a strong need or desire | urj |
| freedom | liberty | being free | free-duhm |
| ache | pain | a dull, continuous pain | ayk |
The author of this poem is not identified in the available sources. The poem reflects contemporary themes of existential struggle and spiritual reflection.