Last Century

I would swear
we are the last of our kind,
blinkered end-time visionaries
perhaps.
Implausible romantics
shaping formless
ideology with exhausted
sensibilities

And

I know we shall
not reach outside
this century.

Yet there remains
that perfect space

between my fingers

for your hand.

Reviews

[andrew mitchell]

A soft flowing poetic gem. Last century says it all as visionaries as did they during the Shakespeare era.

[Alistair (Ali)]

Thank you Sir- I think I was, perhaps, a wee bit too in touch with my own mortality with this.

[J. J. Nightingale]

And in that small space Joy and Hope abides..
Whatever happens in our time allotted
may have the power to change a future
to change a heart..........

Jazzy..♥

[Alistair (Ali)]

That is very true Jazzy- wise words indeed.
Thank you very much.

[J. J. Nightingale]

You are welcome ......................J.J....:).....

[Andre]

This my second story I'm reading of yours and I'm really enjoying your stories, the words you use to express the feeling really make the story inspiring and good.

[Alistair (Ali)]

Thank you kindly- all this, is in all of us, our journey may be short, but it is full of color and wonder.

[Andre]

You welcome and everything you just mention is true.

[lightsong]

Powerful! so powerful!! Your emotions sweep, abound from the first words into the last, how You could so easily, so wisely, perfectly! bring the issues of this world, policy, unkindness, less in humanity.... etc, Your anger is felt, Your rage is felt, Your gentleness is felt too! and when I read (...between my fingers), I looked into my hand and opened my fingers smiling at the magical spaces between them, isn't this what Your own spaces must do? to write, to reach into others hands and their spaces? Your words here inspired me, I don't think I will live to see the end of this world nor I think it will end in this century, but maybe in the next one :) still Your message is loud, so loud! Thank You!

[Alistair (Ali)]

Thank you kindly for this outstanding comment! There is always hope, and I believe it is found in the most simple of acts- friendship, laughter, empathy, kindness, sharing.
I can be a jaded old cynic, as moody as south-westerly winds, uncouth and whiskered- then someone, somewhere, smiles, nods and says it's not so bad- and slowly the world view changes. We all have the ability to give that greatest of gifts-( hope)- and it is amazing!

[Annette Pisano-Higley]

How tender are these lyrical words...We the poets, the “visionaries” in, perhaps, the end of days, tirelessly carry a torch to illuminate the darkness. The last verse touches my heart- “the perfect space between my fingers for your hand”- yes. Brilliant.

[Alistair (Ali)]

Spot on!-Thank you very much! If I'm honest, I could not tell you exactly why I write- but I know I have to- and on these virtual pages, our writing will outlive us all- our cave paintings- small handprints reaching through time for others to hold and feel as we have felt. It is a strange and beautiful path that we follow.
Thank you muchly!

[Annette Pisano-Higley]

Alistair, your response is ,in itself, a poem. Yes, we write and “rage against the dying of the light”...You’re welcome and it is a pure pleasure to read your work!:)

[Alistair (Ali)]

Aww- Thank you- I must admit I do ramble on a bit- Ah ! Dylan Thomas- now there is a chap who I would have liked to have had a beer- or 10- with!

[Great Aunt Astri]

I like the way you point out that it is so much better to appreciate your own life, and loved one, than to worry about the outside picture, of 'blinkered end-time visionaries.' And I like the format, which slows down towards the end. Enjoyed it.

[Alistair (Ali)]

Thank you kindly- this was written for those who write- for those who are inspired and who inspire and everything between.
Happy Solstice to you!

[Great Aunt Astri]

And a happy Winter Solstice to you

[Alistair (Ali)]

Already the days are getting longer!