strange days

from a review

my mother used to read the obituaries

every morning

and one day she found her own name

but she is a morbid woman

and if i die

i don't want to read it in a paper

 

i thought of asking someone

to write me an epitaph the other day

so that i might have one small detail

pinned down

and then have less to worry over

when i'm gone

 

i'm just afraid that in asking

someone to define succinctly who i am

i might not like the answer

Reviews

[SLW]

I think characters are always so infinitely nuanced and complicated, can we ever tryly have an a few words, definitive aspect of someone? Saying that, I think I'd have that fear too. My Grandad always says to me he reads the obituaries at 85 to double-check he's still alive :-)

[icaros13]

Brilliant and witty.

[Shimmerbliss/CAF]

You are more courageous than I am to even think (perhaps only a thought written here) of asking someone to put that on paper! Long ago I was given an exercise to do in which I had to write my own eulogy from the perspective of the most important people in my life. The intent of the lesson was to write what I would want them to say and then make it so. Your nice work here brought that back to mind.

[Mary]

This is what my dear mother in law wanted for her epitaph:"i told you I was sick!" unfortunately she did not get what she wanted. She got beloved mother...

[TamiViolet]

We hope we are remembered with love.... Your work reminds me of a book of memoirs... The final stanza is indeed frightening, yet it is one person's perception. Very creative piece, poetess... I think when we transcend though, another level of consciousness exists.... I wonder, at that moment, if another's view will really matter?

[Droll Prole]

Enjoyable read. Dont think anyone wants the illusion of who they are broken by how they are defined by others.

[I Shred This Cabbage]

this is perfect emily - the best poem i've read in some time.

[michael.c.m]

A clear, concise echo of a thought. A thought I've had yet could never put to words. You have done it elegantly.

[W.k.kortas]

This is really on the top shelf; wry, knowing, and rides the edge between too-controlled and a bit off the rails perfectly, and Lord knows I wish I would have written this one.

[I Am Alexis]

Love the last line.

[bob, small b. aka invs]

i've got epitaphs to spare. help yourself.