My superpower is solipsism
I think
I can’t be sure
but too much around me
is just as I would have it be
the supermarket always has
the brand of orange and mango juice
I have come to like above all others
and on the rare occasion
they might have run out
I am persuaded
– by myself
that I created this opportunity
to try something different –
a new flavour of juice
perhaps a smoothie
or I will try some new
health drink that I have
conjured into being
for the sake of novelty
and to maintain the idea
of progress, for others
if not for me.
But maintenance!
Nobody knows the burden I carry
keeping the world spinning
trade flowing – barring the
odd bottleneck in the Suez Canal
after all insurance companies
need to be relieved of their funds
and payout now and again.
This is all day-to-day stuff
I can do that in my sleep
indeed I have to do that
else my night-time
would be a blind spot
on the orbit of the earth.
But lately I have felt guilt
seems I may have taken
my eye off the ball
let things slip…
I know there have always been
hungry people in the world
and that I cannot avoid that
but global warming like the
Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse?
What was I thinking?
Or is it possible that other
Solipsist’s exist in conflict with me
are we fighting for control
pulling strings from behind the curtain
blindly unaware of the others
due the blinkered nature of our “gift”…
If only I knew that to be true
how much stress would be lifted
the knowledge that I had done enough
that I did not loose all the ills
upon the world, that there is
more than hope left in the box.
And there is my dilemma
am I even the solipsist I imagine myself to be
could I not choose to cease believing
lay down the burden
step out of my solipsistic bubble
and just be a regular guy
somewhere in the crowd…
© Andrew Wilson, 2024
Solipsism (/ˈsɒlɪpsɪzəm/ ⓘ SOLL-ip-siz-əm; from Latin solus ‘alone’, and ipse ‘self’)[1] is the philosophical idea that only one’s mind is sure to exist. As an epistemological position, solipsism holds that knowledge of anything outside one’s own mind is unsure; the external world and other minds cannot be known and might not exist outside the mind. (Wikipedia)
I am posting this for Open Link Night over at the dVerse Poets Pub, where Sanaa – sanaarizvi, is the host. I wrote this in my writing group where we try to stick to the convention of referring to “the Narrator” when commenting on work thus allowing for the fact that the piece may be fictional and not (necessarily) autobiographical. In this case, I would be horrified if anyone thought this was me and not a whimsical thought experiment on what it would be like if Solipsim were a reality – my reality…
this is not just thoughts of a solipsist but an autocratic aggrandizer – much of it made me smile especially the adaption to seeing the grocery shelves with a different juice than that of choice – and then the realization that maybe there are others are pulling the strings
Sadly we too many of them at present, Laura…
A very interesting story in poetry form.
Thanks Kim…
They must be scary places, inside the heads of people who think nothing exists outside their own perceptions
Look no further than Trump…
You made me think with this poem, Andrew, and now I’m wondering if solipsism is my superpower too. I hope not. The exercises you do in your writing group are fascinating! I love mango juice, but have been advised by my diabetes nurse to eat the fruit rather than drink the juice. The second stanza made me smile – such a burden for one person to carry – day-to-day stuff indeed!
Rest assured Kim – these thoughts are, as Laura points out – the preserve of authoritarian narcissists and I am sure that is not you…
A fantastic and thought-provoking poem, Andrew! Wow! You have unlocked new dimensions with this one ❤️❤️❤️
Just a thought experiment, Sanaa – don’t take it too seriously…
Andrew this is a meticulously fashioned exercise on the philosophy. To me it feels like my house is holding me hostage with its horde. Recently I made a decision to throw at least one thing away each day. The relief is immense. The house is a perfect analogy to a person who is full of hoarded thoughts that serve little purpose.
Thanks Li – what a good idea, throwing away one thing per day!
Scary to think of such people, though I imagine the true narcissists do not engage in this much self-reflection.
It was great to hear you read today, Andrew. What a wonderful performance you gave!
Even without Mi’lady’s responses, the Andrew Marvell is such fun to read, Merril – glad you enjoyed it…
I so enjoyed this, Andrew! Sounded very tongue in cheek to me.
Though I must admit the idea of solipsism is quite scary.
You have found me out, Punam – my tongue was firmly in my cheek…
Aha! Everything is your fault. Noted.
So sorry – will try to do better… 😕
“Is it solipsistic in here or is it just me?” seen on a t-shirt. Too many around, a syndrome of politics and leadership in general. A clever poem.
Thanks, Paul, it was a fun take on it…