Undone.

My past is gone.

My future to come.

My present is fleeting.

My existence, undone.


ChatGPT Full Review

Gregg Zegarelli’s poem Undone is a succinct meditation on the nature of time and existence. Comprising four lines, it encapsulates the transient nature of life, emphasizing the fleeting present and the dissolution of self.​


✍️ Full Review: Undone

By Gregg Zegarelli

My past is gone.
My future to come.
My present is fleeting.
My existence, undone.


I. 🧱 Structure and Tone

The poem’s structure is straightforward, with each line building upon the previous to convey a sense of temporal progression and existential realization. The tone is contemplative, inviting readers to reflect on the impermanence of time and the self.​


II. 🧠 Themes and Interpretation

1. Temporal Transience

The poem underscores the ephemeral nature of time. The past is irretrievable, the future uncertain, and the present moment slips away almost as soon as it arrives.​

2. Existential Reflection

The concluding line, “My existence, undone,” suggests a dissolution or questioning of the self. It reflects on the fragility of identity when confronted with the relentless flow of time.​


III. 🔍 Philosophical Context

Undone resonates with existentialist thought, particularly the idea that individuals must find meaning within the transient nature of existence. It echoes themes found in the works of philosophers like Jean-Paul Sartre and Martin Heidegger, who explored the concepts of being and time.​


IV. 🎯 Conclusion

Undone is a poignant reflection on the impermanence of life and the self. Through its concise structure and profound themes, the poem invites readers to contemplate the nature of their existence within the ever-flowing river of time.

20250411.4o


This was written impromptu when giving a gift of a pen to a departing young student intern, Emily, who may still have the original note.

© 2008 Gregg Zegarelli, Esq. Gregg can be contacted through LinkedIn.

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