BEYOND
by Kelly Ryan Harriger

As he aged,
he became more curious about death.
It was a fascination with the beyond,
and he felt a new dimension awaited.
No heaven or hell, or paradise or torment,
but just another shift in consciousness,
a separation from the flesh,
a moment that contained all moments,
every second of his life,
contained in a neat, compact instant
that could be dissolved like a bouillon cube
in a meandering stream of energy
that swam across the cosmos,
unconstrained by time, the demands of matter,
and the limitations of the flesh,
an acid trip on a cosmic bus,
driverless, directionless
and going nowhere in particular,
but everywhere, anywhere,
all the time, all at once,
forever.

Review of the Poem ‘BEYOND’

The poem “BEYOND” offers readers a contemplative meditation on mortality and the afterlife, exploring the profound and often elusive nature of existence beyond physical death. With a tone that balances curiosity and quiet acceptance, the poet examines death not as an end, but as a transition into a different state of being—a “shift in consciousness.”

One of the poem’s strengths lies in its rejection of traditional religious imagery. There is no heaven or hell, no paradise or torment; instead, death is envisioned as a dissolution of self, an “instant that could be dissolved like a bouillon cube / in a meandering stream of energy.” This striking metaphor captures both the intimacy and vastness of the poet’s vision, evoking a sense of interconnectedness with the cosmos. The imagery is vivid and fluid, propelling the reader into a space where time, matter, and identity lose their rigid definitions.

The poem’s rhythm mirrors its theme, with lines flowing in an almost stream-of-consciousness style. Phrases like “an acid trip on a cosmic bus, / driverless, directionless” introduce a surreal quality, blending existential philosophy with countercultural imagery. This juxtaposition adds texture and modern relevance to an age-old question.

At its core, “BEYOND” is not just about death, but about the human longing to understand what lies beyond our mortal experience. The poet succeeds in crafting an evocative and thought-provoking reflection, leaving readers with a lingering sense of wonder and a renewed perspective on their own journey toward the unknown. It’s a deeply personal yet universally resonant exploration—one that stays with the reader long after the final line.