Death by Water

    When I first read through, "Fear Death by Water", from the "Wasteland", I was like... Ok cool so we are talking about a dead sailor who drowned. Nothing more uplifting right? But then again the Wasteland is hardly uplifting at all. As I read the section of the poem my second thought, is this is warning? But what is it warning us from? Simply to be cautious on the water, or something deeper?

    One of my thoughts were maybe it was a warning to the young and brave who are ready for adventure, that adventure does costs something, and eventually your life. Also do not be consumed chasing after profits, because the dead do not remember, the dead do not see or hear. Make the most of your life. 

    

    As I considered these thoughts, Abernathy said something. This is the most epic piece of the poem, there is action, adventure, pulse. This young Phoenician sailor died doing something he loved, he knew the risks of the sea. So was this really a warning or an encouragement? Not to die I mean, but neither to settle for dull land-lover-like life. I mean I would want to go out doing something I loved, in the middle of action. I'd much rather die in the middle of the sea rather then die at my desk doing paperwork. I rather die in the moving cool water, than the endless scorching desert. So should we fear death by water or death by paperwork?