Illusions of Certainty
We're all the same
I am in that phase of my life where I’m learning about the Roman Republic and getting to know characters like Caesar, Cicero, Cato, and Pompey.
Historia Civilis is a Youtube channel that’s gotten me down this rabbit hole. (You may remember it as my “Some Fun Stuff” video recommendation from last week).
Learning about this time from 2000 years ago, about men like Caesar, I can’t help but wonder how these individuals lived with the kind of power that they had. They were creating new rules for a new kind of world. They were wealthier than anyone else in their time.
And yet, the more I learn about them, I realize - they were just people.
Susceptible to the same anxieties, annoyances, trials, and tribulations as you or me - often left reflecting if their gambits would work, bluffing to prop up their positions, or escaping when their positions became untenable.
Whatever be our place in history, in our hearts, we are all the same!
That’s what today’s poem is about.
Alright, poem starts in 3… 2… 1!
"Oh look at that man!" said they, "Look at him grow!" "Look at his swagger!" "And look at his glow!" "Look at his efforts!" "And look at his skill!" "Look at his milestones!" "And look! He's so chill!" They followed his words and they followed his will. If he would've told them, they'd climb up a hill. They'd ask him his secrets, his plan and his flow. He'd whisper in silence "I don't really know."
That’s it! Thanks for reading edition no. 117 of Hello Universe!
Check out Some Fun Stuff below!
Some Fun Stuff
This is a place where I recommend read-worthy, hum-worthy, and watch-worthy content from across the internet. The underlined words are links that you can click to access my suggestions:
1. Check out the Stepping Feet optical illusion: A quick and fun optical illusion that is certain to trick your eyes. I won’t reveal too much, the fun is in watching it, so check it out now!
2. Listen to Ville by Jumo: This is less of a track and more of a soundscape - taking you through a beautiful sonic experience that’s 10/10. Check it out now!
3. Watch Spiderman Across The Spiderverse: This is a brilliant movie on every level. Visually stunning, sonically fulfilling, and narratively outstanding. Part 3 can’t come soon enough. I am headed for my second viewing of this movie soon, and if you haven’t had your first one yet, I recommend you go for it NOW!
That’s it for this week, see you next Tuesday!
Great poem, Punit! Loved it!
Also somehow quite shocking that even thought it might not be Cesar and Nero and Alexander these days - rather Donald and Elon and Bill and Jeff - the world is still a bit the same as it was two thousand years ago.
Such a great poem, Punit - the last verse has given me goosepimples. And that optical illusion has tied my brain in knots - it's impressive and baffling at the same time!