The theme of this poem focuses on the equilibrium of coexistence. The author asks in the first two lines of the poem “Carrying body and soul and embracing the one, Can you avoid separation?”. This question is to allow readers to think about the importance of coexistence. Without either the body or soul, we won’t be complete. The lines near the conclusion “Bearing yet not possessing,” and “Leading yet not dominating,” shows that we must accept coexistence. By accepting coexistence, we will then be able to take care of our body and mind, leading both into a state of equilibrium. With this state of equilibrium, we can then live a life that is pure, gentle, and harmonious. Laozi talks about this in the third and fourth line by asking “Attending fully and becoming supple, Can you be as a newborn babe?” Ultimately, all the questions that Laozi asks in this poem are meant to make us think about how well we can balance the coexisting things around us. Once we can reach equilibrium (he gave examples of equilibrium in the end) while facing all the coexisting forces around us, we will understand the primal virtue.