The Lightning Strike

by Peter Saint-Andre

In January 1889,
A bolt of lightning struck a lonely pine.
His mind, which always shone so bright, went dark.
The fire blew out, but left an ageless spark.

[On January 3rd, 1889, Nietzsche experienced a mental collapse into insanity (likely caused by a brain disease, not syphilis as often believed); he never recovered.]


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