Daily Prompt | Not Quite Dead

 [Photo by Inayat Ullah from Pexels](https://www.pexels.com/photo/grayscale-photo-of-human-hand-13210677/) Dead body is quite a common word. Death means the end of life. But has anyone wondered why it is always in junction with the physical body? As that is the indicator that can be observed by others. People are only considered dead when it is on the physical plane. Although this is a common norm, a person can die several times before their soul finally leaves their body behind. Sure, that is the final nail in the coffin, but what about all the other nails? Charles Bukowski said, ***You have to die a few times before you can really live.*** This is one of my favourite quotes. What did he mean by this quote? How can one person die several times, and how can he finally learn to live? Do all people need to die to live? Do all people live eventually? Or some die in hope of living someday? Dying and living can mean many things. Changing habits, starting something good, enjoying every tiny bit of moments, all can be called living; after being stuck, depressed, frustrated, in other words, dead. This prompt resonates with me very much. There were many occasions where I thought I would be better dead, still not quite dead. The inside may have rotted, yet this mechanical, biological shell is still moving, going somewhere, or being stuck, making the soul a prisoner of this world, which again tells me I am not quite dead yet. I do not know how many more days, months, or years shall pass by, till I learn to live or finally be free in tearing the bond between soul and body. --- This is written for the #DailyPrompt by the @daily.prompt from the @freewritehouse. You can write and paste the link in the comment box of [this post](https://peakd.com/hive-161155/@daily.prompt/22-august-2025-mariannewests-freewrite-writing-prompt-day-2837-not-quite-dead).  Source: @daily.prompt