“We have one life; it soon will be past; what we do for God is all that will last.” - Muhammad Ali
Poetry Jam this week has set a challenge concentrating on “the last”. All things have an end, and for each thing there must be a last one. How more so for the one last day we live, surely that is ultimate finality… Here is my offering:
Death
“I've lived a good life,” said he to me,
“I've loved and hated, worked and played.
I've lived a full life,” he confessed,
“I've left only few things untried.
Experiences varied, broad I have collected,
All those I've met I've not regretted.”
“I've loved and hated, worked and played.
I've lived a full life,” he confessed,
“I've left only few things untried.
Experiences varied, broad I have collected,
All those I've met I've not regretted.”
“I look at death before me, now,” he told me,
“I like the purposefulness in his stony gaze.
I lean towards him with my hands outstretched,” he said,
“I long to live through this, my ultimate encounter;
My mind replete with images and sound
Will welcome this last meeting, sure to astound.”
“I like the purposefulness in his stony gaze.
I lean towards him with my hands outstretched,” he said,
“I long to live through this, my ultimate encounter;
My mind replete with images and sound
Will welcome this last meeting, sure to astound.”
“I tell you, don't be sad,” he said to me,
“I think this is a journey that will thrill me.
I tremble with excitement, not with dread,
I taste sweet wine, not bitter gall nor poison.
My heart is restful,” softly, he sighed,
“My soul is free…” he said to me - and died.
“I think this is a journey that will thrill me.
I tremble with excitement, not with dread,
I taste sweet wine, not bitter gall nor poison.
My heart is restful,” softly, he sighed,
“My soul is free…” he said to me - and died.
Facing death with grace and dignity, a sense of wonder .... Your poem inspires.
ReplyDeleteThis is very moving. It is definitely not easy to be with someone when they die, but it also can be a gift to be there and hear the dying person's last words. The feeling that the soul is free must be a wonderful one!
ReplyDeleteYes dying is certainly the last of something--but the beginning of something else. Excellent and thank you for posting this.
ReplyDeleteSad and thought provoking, a moment that faces us all.
ReplyDeleteI don't like to think what that last moment will be like, but perhaps it will be with the peace like you have written so well.
ReplyDelete