I doubt my final credits
are quite ready to roll
though so far
I’ve outlived John Donne’s span
& that of so many of the poets
I admire I can’t refute
that far too soon mid-
sentence I will expire
Gluttonous death
will make a meal of me
& divide body from soul
make perhaps this very one
my last breath last scene
last poem which I hope
will be constructed well
Far more of my life’s
in the take-up reel
than in what’s to come
which is no cause for despair
as in anticipation I prepare
for the sequel
Photo by Jeremy Yap on Unsplash
thank you for this,’ I prepare for the sequel is so joyous’.
It is indeed ‘constructed well’ but please its not the last scene or poem for a long while…
Love the architecture of your poem, Don, and the contemplation on life and our short time on this good earth. You’ve got an amazing poetic voice!!! Thanks for sharing your lyric with the world.
Another stunning addition to a challenging project, Don. As with all your poetry, these little worlds cunningly made are well worth pondering now and on return visits. Thank you,
Here I am laying Donne’s sonnet alongside yours. His a kind of theology. Yours a cinematic view of those truths.
“…final credits…last breath, last scene, last poem…my life in the take-up reel…prepare for the sequel…”
Such is the need–both for the wisdom of Donne and the vision of Martin. Thank you!
As with your other poems in this cycle, I especially like your 21st-century “cover” of Donne’s theme. The humor in this poem’s 5th stanza was a welcome surprise.
Late to the party yet it is so timely a read for me today as a friend lays dying. Amid the sobering realities I am freshly transfused with hope, more equipped now to take the long view.
And, to echo the others, may your days be blessed, howsoever many are given. Please know that we are mightily blessed by you and your words.