Time Of Death

We ignore it but it waits,
as the clock ticks
and the hourglass pours,
we continue feigning ignorance.

I have seen this cold hand caress
the young and old. Invitations are
sent on occasion, scripted on fine paper,
RSVPs are just futile redundancy.

We know but we don't know -
so we discount the chill
that creeps up our spine
hugging ourselves warm.

But somewhere your name and mine are
written, perhaps in those stars
beloved by bards and lovers,
and beneath them are stamped small numbers.

Sometimes the numerals are too far away to see
other times they sit by our bedside, close and waiting,
I would rather not see mine, but leave it to the person who
is charged with witnessing my last breath and scripting  my official time of death.

Reviews

[Dispersus]

you are just a hair short of embracing the passing moment here and I like that...no acceptance, but an admitting coolness that assures us that the futility you speak of is all too true...

"the person who
is charged with scripting my last breath" ...of all the analysis I've done on this matter, I must say, I have never felt for or even thought of the claimants role....quite startled I am now actually.......there are formalities that must be dealt with, not of my concern then, but perhaps I should address them now

while I can...thanks IB

Peace,
R

[icelandicblue]

We move from participants to spectators in the space of a breath. I am not sure of the formalities you speak of but everyone should have a will and a healthcare proxy. Live long and prosper. Thank you Dispersus.

[The Hampstead Poet]

This poem really just captures a sense of time, and how none can avoid dying in the end. All of the melancholy is expressed, along with the need to live life each day, for you might not have tomorrow. Very sublime.

[icelandicblue]

Thank you, I am not even a pragmatist anymore, I think I have become a fatalist. I appreciate your taking the time to read and interpret the poem. It's trite but true, "carpe diem." Thank you again, happy new year.

[Rita L. Sev]

Wow. This poem blows me away, Blue. "Like a thief in the night..." my grandmother used to say, but we all know he's there, lurking. You have given something to ponder, and a reason to embrace the Day, because Night awaits...

[icelandicblue]

Fear not Rita- your happiness and positive attitude will keep him at bay.

[s y e]

Anne - this literally brought tears to my eyes... I am so speechless again at your beautiful poetry. I think sometimes we are so caught up in life we don't think about it ending or the reality of it all. Truthfully, I never think of it until something happens then I think (sometimes wish) what if it were me?

The emotion is so intense, you nailed it.

[icelandicblue]

You are young, you should not have to think about it. I've just had a lot of loss these past 5 years, my daughter's best friend at 16, my nephew at 19, my son's two good friends, 22 and 24 and my dad. You enjoy life, there are many who do not have to deal with these types of tragedies. You should not think of it, live and enjoy your life. You have so much energy and a je ne sais quoi that should not be mired in sorrow. Don't let it creep into your life, enjoy the life you're living!

[s y e]

I've had my fair share of deaths too and I know it's hard... But I think when we have young ones around us we put on a brave face through the hard times for them.

[icelandicblue]

I do not mean to diminish your losses or suffering. Still, you are 16 life awaits you, grasp it with both hands and find joy wherever you can. It is the best advice I can give you, despite the depressing poetry I write.

[s y e]

I understand what you're saying my friend.

[Lyn Anderson]

Your poetry aches. It reaches in an tugs at the heart strings. Great intensity and emotion.

[icelandicblue]

Thank you so much for reading and commenting.

[Frieda P]

Anne, Anne, I love you to pieces but you seem to bring tears to my eyes lately with your poetry. So many great people lost and thinking of someone else's number being up is more than I want to think about but such is life and/or death. I guess that's why we need to live every day to the fullest, never know which star our names are written upon. Touching, relevant and intensely penetrating. You've done it again my friend.

[icelandicblue]

Thanks Frieda,
I'm in a bad bad place and it comes out in my poetry. Having time off from work is never good for me.
My family is worried about me, I'm worried about me and so I write. I wish I could write things like sequined dreams everyday, I really do. I am most definitely a downer these days. Thanks for reading.

[Frieda P]

You vent as much as you need to, didn't mean to imply you should write sparkly stuff all the time, we BOTH know that ain't real life or happening any time soon. You just capture my most vulnerable parts with your poetry, and I'm a big cry baby when it comes to that subject. Always a pleasure, and take good care of you>xo

[icelandicblue]

I know Frieda. It's has become my companion, the shadow I harbor that understands. I am lost and everyone is telling me what to do, to put my self first...what on earth does that even mean- I am a mother? What to do what not to do and all I think about is how can I keep him alive until he gets better. I will bridge him to any program any time and I will not forsake him so he can hit bottom and die homeless in 9 degrees, which they all tell me won't happen because he's so much more cagey and capable than I think. But what if I am right? So I am labeled and scolded and little do these "do gooders" or "know it alls" realize they make the balance in my life that I am so desperately trying to build impossible to do unless I reveal nothing and live a double life. I have chosen the double life and it is lonely. He is in a 30 day program and everyone says only because it's cold out...he has to know someone loves him regardless. So I write from the darkest recesses of my heart because I cannot hold it in and no one here wants to listen because they already have all the answers. I know you understand how isolating it can be.

[Jack...]

Anne, this is deeply profound and filled with so much truth. We do go through our days it seems ignoring what waits down the road, but like your poem ends, I would rather just let whoever it is that holds that list of dates and times worry about it, leaving me to go on with other more important things...like living.

Very nice and oh so cool my friend.

[icelandicblue]

Thanks Jack,

A weird thing for me to write on the first day of a new year but I really feel the loss of my father today. It is the first year in my life that he is not here with me in a new year and I have been thinking a lot about him. Some new year I won't be here either and I don't want to know when that might be. I also received a plaque from the government for him today (it was delivered yesterday but we don't always bring in the mail) and that made me ruminate over the fact he is truly gone...hence the poem. Thanks Jack.

[Jack...]

I understand Anne, and you sadness does show in this wonderful poem. These are things we all have to go through during this time we have here on earth. I lost my father a few years ago and things pop up that cause me to want to ask his advice or opinion and can not. But I know that while I am here it will be me that my children count on for such things, so in a way...he might still be here. Not sure if that makes any sense to you or is any comfort but it is to me sometimes.