The End Of The Page

It fell into my head fully-formed, in about 47 minutes, the night after my Grandmother's funeral. It instructs us not be be sad, as the loved one is certainly joyous to have regained all that she lost during her life and illness.

 

THE END OF THE PAGE

When we get to the end of the page,

And the last word has been said

And all the thoughts of the Sage

Have been comprehended as read

 

Then we’ll all fold our glasses

And lay them on the bed…

 

We’ve been alone for years now,

Amid the clamoring crowd;

Badly tarnished, the Matriarch’s crown

(More so than is allowed!)

 

Our head, once so erect

Is now a trifle bowed…

 

The print seems so much smaller now

Than it ever was before,

And I believe I hear the Editor

Tapping softly at my door

 

“A moment only, dear One,

“For I’ve rather slowed with age.

“I’ll be with you in a minute,

“When I get to The End Of The Page.”

 

“Barbara, kindly close the blinds,

“For the sun is far too bright!”

(What a surprise when she shall find

That the SUN’s not the source of that light!)

 

But it truly wouldn’t matter,

For she’s far too tired to fight…

 

Great gulps of God’s good air

I again breathe in with glee!

The hummingbirds and martins fair

Zoom and sing to welcome me!

 

Breaths, and birds, and iris beds:

Joys such as I’d forgot could be!

 

Now I’ve come to the End Of The Page

Now it’s time to sign the Book.

The papers are folded, the bed is made;

Now I cast a last and a loving look.

 

Fin’ly unfettered and free’d am I,

I gladly bound from out my cage,

And fly to the arms of my dearest Dear,

For I’ve got to The End Of The Page!

 

December 6, 1986

 

 

 

Reviews

[Sheila Kline]

Oh Mark!
This is divine! How beautifully expressed is every word of one's end times on Earth! I absolutely love the use of life ending at "the end of the page". There are so many brilliant lines that I cannot single out one as a favorite........it is indeed all a favorite, and I shall flag it as such on my page.
Thank you for sharing your wonderful poetry. I must come back and read more, and I shall!!
I am so glad you have become a part of Writer's Cafe!!!
With Friendship,
Sheila

[Helen Woodward]

Yes!! This piece was a delight to read Mark, such a defined insight of death, no negativity shall be entered into. You point out so vividly that which awaits us beyond our beds in the not-so-distant eternal resting place we hopefully will all come to know. The loss of a loved one can be so incredibly sad, but when grief hands us a calling card...this would be a recommended read.
Thank you :~)

Helen~

[AK]

This is so gentle, and loving, and powerful. Thank you!

[An owl on the moon]

Profoundly moving, my friend... A call to all of us as we write our pages now, to live for what will last. Thank you for speaking to us so wonderfully...

[Pratibha]

the SUN's not the source of that light

the light if awareness, the light of truth, the light if infinite possibility and the light of LOVE, nothing but unconditional love.
Such a heartfelt poem....I came back for a re read because I could honestly identify with the theme....esp when i am reading loads of books nowadays....
and the recent one was one by deepak chopra and after reading that i had the similar feelings described in your poem....
what a blissful state !!

[Pratibha]

this made me relax and realise that indeed life is worth living but at the end of the page, we all nees the much deserved rest and peace.
there is a sense of tranquility within me after reading this poem

[Voice]

This is truly beautiful. I loved the gentle view of passing on to be in heaven with God. The freeing feeling and peaceful emotions is a great reminder that there is a place where pain never treads. Just gorgeous�

Voice

[R J Askew]

Beautiful job. I esp like the sun lines, the escape from the cage, the glasses folded an the sheer good humour of it. O for such a death! Also 'received' poems are the very best. Also I like the simple anglo-saxon language, very few fancy-dan multi-syllable words. And there is absolutely no intellecutal whirly-gig, big brain stuff in it that only about one in a hundred understand. A proper poem perfectly formed.

[Suzanne Sherif]

This is really beautiful. It is a wistful but ultimately positive take on passing on to the other side. I like the metaphor of life as a story book, and each new day being another page, and that we don't know how the story will unfold until we get to the very end.

I also like the image of the soul departing the body like a bird flying out of a cage. Beautiful!

[Anita B Jacques]

I had to read it again, your poems brings back so many memories, your poem is made of "real and honest words,thank you again

[Anita B Jacques]

I love it Mark, wonderful write, from the first to the last "page". I wanted more, you have the magic, heart, mind, Soul and emotions can create the magic, you did in this piece, it moved me to tears, so true. Thank you so much for sharing it with me. God bless you my friend.