Book of Changes,

by J. W. Cassandra

The Book of Changes is also one of my most recent works. It is subtitled "The Riddle". The poem is a kind of reckoning, a definitive closure of the past and a reference to Heraclitus' philosophy. At the same time, the title is also a reference to the ancient Chinese Yi Jing or Book of Changes. I am considering placing this poem into my volume XIX and starting a new cycle with it, but it is also possible that it will be the opening poem of a volume XX, and at the same time, its title. For the present, I will leave the question open.

The poem itself is built up of two-line stanzas, and the above-mentioned closure is realized through a series of symbols, which is made similar to the flow of the river by the flow of emphases and negations, which we cannot enter twice in the spirit of Heraclitian philosophy. But, this yet does not give the answer to the riddle: everyone has to solve it for themselves.

About the illustration: when I found the photo on Pixabay, the name Vu Quang Namm was indicated for the creator. In the meantime, it has been changed to Robin23.

And now let the poem follow.

The Riddle

Only the emphases are different,
As they were:

Only the emphases are different:
They are long dead.

Only the emphases are different:
You are not there!

And you will not be anymore
You only were,

And they do not know you anymore:
They only wish.

And you will return no more:
It is all over.

For the river did not wait:
It has long flown on,

For what stepped into it, the foot
Became cautious;

For the river is different for ages,
As your wit.

Only the emphases are different,
As they were:

Only the emphases are different:
They are long dead.

If you unravel these words,
Prime riddle!

If you do not know these words:
Prime riddle...

Written: 30 / 08. 2025, by J. W. Cassandra
Translated 01 / 09. 2025, by J. W. Cassandra

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