Goethe's Faust risks all if he should cry to the moment, the 'augenblick', "Verweile doch!" "Last forever!" Who hasn't prayed that prayer? But the 'augenblick' isn't going to 'verweile'. You were lucky to get it in the first place. The present is a freely given canvas. That it is constantly being ripped apart and washed downstream goes without saying; it is a canvas, nevertheless.
In "Pilgrim at Tinker Creek," Annie Dillard reflects on Goethe's Faust and the human desire to grasp fleeting moments. The protagonist in Faust risks everything to capture the 'augenblick' or 'moment,' pleading for it to remain still with the cry, "Verweile doch!" This longing for permanence resonates with everyone, as we often wish time would pause to allow us to fully experience the present.
However, Dillard emphasizes the ephemeral nature of life; the 'augenblick' always slips away, and we are fortunate even to have such moments. The present, while a unique and beautiful gift, is like a canvas being torn apart and swept away. Embracing the transient quality of existence is crucial, as each moment is precious, even if it is fleeting.
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