THE EVANESCENT NATURE OF HUMAN LIFE

By:
Ajukura, Fidelis O.
ajukurafidelisobi@gmail.com
16th March, 2023

The human life is like a vapour - it vanishes even before it gets started. Many people approach life with resolute doggedness only to realize that they have been on a wild goose chase.

As beautiful or colourful as the rainbow, human life is marked by unending fleetingness. In the bipolar world of birth and death in which man is enmeshed, there seem to be an electromagnetic force attached to one of the poles that constantly beckons on him to come without delay. This is exemplified in the growth of children and the rapidity with which adults age. I recall quite clearly how, only few decades ago, I used to defecate in a potty but today, I am almost wrapped in gray. Also, many of those who were noted to be the "talk and dos" have either gone limb or flown away. This is the evanescent nature of human life.

Concerning the fluidity of human life, there is one musical group that never ceases to catch my attention. Each time I reflect over this group, the vanity and emptiness of human life stares me right in the face. This group is no other than the Jacksons popularly known as Jackson 5. The group or band composed of members of the Jackson family. The group was founded in 1964 in Gary, Indiana. The band was made up of five brothers; Jackie, Tito, Jermain, Marlon and Michael. The group was managed by Joe Jackson, the father of the five brothers. The Jacksons or Jackson 5 crossed the threshold of world history as the first African American group to gain global attention. The Jacksons won different laurels and awards. According to sources, the Jacksons sold more than 100 million records.

The Jacksons at the peak of their career left many enthralled to the extent that they wondered the stuff from which the brothers were made. The Jacksons hypnotized their audience with their excellent performance so much so that, on many occasions they have been described as angels. Michael, the youngest of the Jacksons who carried a much more blazing neon mesmerized the women folk such that they fainted at his wave. Michael and his brothers were indeed, a special breed; they never, given the opportunity failed to startle their audience with their awesome performance. Unfortunately, all that is left of the Jackson 5 today is the memory of their great exploit. The brothers who held the world spellbound with their beautiful songs and unique dance steps have all transmogrified into old men - that which held the audience especially, the ladies transfixed has flown away with the wind and never to return. Michael who had so much energy and fire inside of him at a point, saw fame and wealth reduce his life to tatters - he was never able to pickup the pieces.

Such is the nature of human life. No matter one's position or station in life, let us not forget that we're all like a thick smoke waiting to be blown away by the wind. The only legacy we can bequeath to posterity is good name. A good name is better than silver and gold. Material riches and fame are inferior to good name because while good name transcends time and space, material riches and fame melts away with the passage of time.

In all that we do, let us exercise restrain because the human life is like a flowing water - it is never constant!