"I came like Water, and like Wind I go"

Edward Fitzgerald crafts a vivid image of human existence with his evocative phrase, “I came like Water, and like Wind I go.” The comparison to water and wind is deeply symbolic, inviting reflection on the nature of life, arrival, and departure. Water often signifies birth, fluidity, and gentle inevitability. Just as water flows into a space, filling it naturally and sometimes imperceptibly, so too do individuals enter life, emerging quietly, shaped by circumstance, time, and the gradual unfolding of events. Water’s presence is vital and essential, echoing the miracle and necessity of birth.

The transition from water to wind marks an evolution. Wind signifies freedom, impermanence, and swift, often unpredictable movement. When a life ends, it can appear as sudden as a gust of wind, fleeting and intangible. Wind does not linger; it rushes forward, leaving behind little trace. This transient quality captures the ephemeral essence of human mortality, underscoring the inevitability of departure and the lack of control each person holds over the final moments. There is an implicit contrast between the yielding nature of water and the restless force of wind: one suggests entrance, nurturing and adaptability; the other, an invisible, uncontrollable exit.

Underlying these metaphors is a gentle resignation to forces greater than oneself. Just as water flows and wind blows without self-direction, humans are subject to the currents of time and fate. There’s humility in recognizing how initial arrival and ultimate departure are shaped by elements beyond conscious choice. Fitzgerald’s words tap into a universal awareness of life’s cycle, where existence is bracketed by phenomena as old and as vast as nature itself. The imagery evokes a sense of unity between human lives and the natural world, suggesting that the journey from entrance to exit mirrors the ceaseless transformation around us, profound in both its simplicity and inevitability.