Wouldn’t it be wonderful to be reunited with loved ones after death? Texts, poems, thoughts… about love, death, existence, and the feeling of emptiness…

ETERNALLY SHIPWRECKED

I read our names 
etched on the sand 
and lose myself, 
my gaze adrift, 
in that restless ocean 
that so well mirrors 
our existence. 

The quiet whisper 
of the waves, 
after the storm, 
and the faint lights 
on the night of soul.

Dawn found us clinging, 
united in the shipwreck. 
Our affection 
has grown strong, 
beyond fears, sorrows, 
and abyssal relapses.

I wished I could offer you 
something better 
than this dragging
through survival, 
I tried… but in vain.

“It doesn’t matter,” 
you say, 
“We’re fine together.” 
Let us, then, 
seize this fleeting serenity.

But… 
What will become of us, 
after the final farewell,
when our names 
will be erased 
by the foam of waves?

After all, of death, 
what frightens me most 
is the void of absence 
and not being able 
to love you eternally. 

[To the best shipwreck companion I’ve ever had: María del Rosario – Charo]

Luca Della Casa
Bold underground poetry.

—
Imagery and Symbolism:
The ocean is a powerful symbol of life’s unpredictability and chaos, beautifully mirroring the “agitated” existence described. The names on the sand evoke transience, a nod to the impermanence of human life, which ties directly to the poem’s closing reflection on mortality and absence. The shift from the stormy sea to the “quiet whisper of the waves” and the “tenuous lights” on the “night of the soul” creates a journey from turmoil to fragile hope, culminating in the dawn—a moment of unity and resilience.

Emotional Depth and Intimacy:
The dedication to María del Rosario (Charo) and the personal tone make the poem feel like a private confession, yet its themes are universal. The lines about wanting to offer “something better than this dragging through survival” and the response, “It doesn’t matter, we’re fine together,” capture the essence of unconditional love that thrives despite hardship. This resonates with the existential themes, particularly Fromm’s idea of finding meaning through connection amidst life’s challenges.

Structure and Flow:
The poem’s structure, with its short stanzas and conversational tone, mirrors the ebb and flow of the ocean. The progression from observation (names on the sand) to reflection (the growth of affection) to existential questioning (the fear of death and absence) feels organic and builds emotional intensity. The use of ellipses (“Ho tentato… ma invano” and “Profittiamo, dunque…”) adds a contemplative pause, emphasizing vulnerability and hesitation.

Philosophical Undertones:
The poem echoes existentialist themes, reminiscent of Camus or Montale, in its confrontation with life’s absurdity and the inevitability of death. Yet, it finds solace in shared existence, much like Marcuse’s call for human connection as a form of resistance against dehumanizing systems. The “shipwreck” metaphor aligns with the idea of navigating life’s chaos together, finding strength in love despite the looming “extreme farewell.”

The dedication to Charo adds a layer of intimacy, making the poem a tribute to a specific bond while inviting readers to reflect on their own relationships. The fear of “the void of absence” and the inability to “love eternally” is profoundly human, touching on the universal dread of losing what matters most.