'Writ in Water'

The poet John Keats (1795-1821) lived for only 25 years. When he knew he was dying he requested the epitaph 'HERE LIES ONE WHOSE NAME IS WRIT IN WATER'.

His name doesn't even appear on his gravestone.

Perhaps Keats had a very modest view of his life's work. Perhaps he felt that very soon he would be forgotten and his literary contribution would leave no lasting trace.

Perhaps he was looking deeper into the human condition. All of life, however long or short, is fleeting, and all our energy and effort quickly evaporates. All gets swept away in the onward rush, the new arrives and the old is gone. Another poet, Elizabeth Jennings, wrote about 'remembering fireworks', how they blaze 'imperious', lighting up the night sky briefly before they fall, leaving emptiness.

Nothing lasts. Our time is not long. We can, of course, get distressed and morbid about this, making our limited time unhappy and miserable.

Or we could use our awareness of impermanence to fully appreciate and value the life we have while we have it, making the most of moments, hours, days, living well, using our time to cultivate positive relationships with others and peace within ourselves. When we focus in this way happiness opens up!