Last Words (As a Writer) (At the End of April and Other Times)
Last Words (As a Writer) (At the End of April and Other Times)
It is hard to speak of last words–
we don’t much believe in “last”
and we’re reluctant to fast
from words– ‘talk’ a favorite verb,
and ‘verbal’ where we rest assured.
But, in life, syllables sometimes cease–
when even cries of ‘help’, ‘help, please’
are unable to procure preferred
relief, breath itself become absurd
(though we still crave it). I want, then,
to say ‘thank you’, and say again,
‘thank you,” till nothing more from me is heard.
If, so…. And, so…. I tell myself too,
I should probably start this morning
(in case of no advance warning).
So, thanks, I say, bowing low to you
as deeply as words can bow, thank you.
***********************************
One more draft poem for April, for Izy Gruye’s prompt on With Real Toads to write about a time of bang and hiss when words may not be longer available to you.
The thanks are very sincerely meant, for all the support you have given me this April National Poetry Month of a poem or draft poem a day–thanks to the prompters at Real Toads, especially to Kerry O’Connor who arranged everything and shows so much depth and inspiration and integrity in her work–thanks to all the poets, and special thanks to those who managed to read thoughtfully and supportively despite the very real pressures on their own time and energies.
The animation is an old one done by me–a bit silly for the poem–but closest to a bow I could think of. Thanks again!
ps this has been edited since first posting.
Explore posts in the same categories: animation, elephants, poetryTags: Animation Creation, April 2015 National Poetry Month, http://withrealtoads.blogspot.com, last words poem, manicddaily, thanks poem, what I hope to say with last breath and should say more
You can comment below, or link to this permanent URL from your own site.
ManicDDaily 
April 30, 2015 at 1:36 pm
This resonates with me. Reminds me of the Meister Eckhart quote: “If the only prayer you ever say in your entire life is thank you, it will be enough.” Thank you for the month of poetry and your well-chosen words.
April 30, 2015 at 3:07 pm
Well, thank YOU for the poem. I really enjoyed that.
Greetings from London.
April 30, 2015 at 3:22 pm
Congratulations for finishing NaPoWriMo with such a strong poem 😀 Well done!
April 30, 2015 at 3:26 pm
Sherry, wonderful, really wonderful. I love that and they are perfect last words.
April 30, 2015 at 3:27 pm
Well, sorry. You know I meant you – I got ahead of myself (even though I’m going backwards -maybe that is the problem).
April 30, 2015 at 3:33 pm
Ha. No worries! k.
On Thu, Apr 30, 2015 at 4:27 PM, ManicDDaily wrote:
>
April 30, 2015 at 3:40 pm
Your closing is so poignant…I love the idea of words bowing. Thank you.
April 30, 2015 at 4:19 pm
Oh, thank you too! It’s been a joy.
April 30, 2015 at 5:14 pm
I loved this.. its so hard to thank for all the pleasures of life.. not being able to find the right words.. wanting to express just the right sentiments..!
It was a pleasure participating this month! Have learned so much!
Lots of love,
xoxo
April 30, 2015 at 6:07 pm
Ouch! Such logic. Such gratitude! So little left to say when we’ve left “it” to the end. I love the elephant’s performance as a last word–a big dark emptiness.
April 30, 2015 at 6:42 pm
A lovely farewell performance from the elephant, and a poem that says more than words, where there are bruises between the lines, but gratitude as well, a feeling which even at the end of the longest month, or the world as we know it seems somehow always appropriate. Very well done, k–and congratulations on the amazing things you have written sometimes under considerable duress. Such a slog at times but also a wonderful ride, and….we made it!
April 30, 2015 at 8:31 pm
Ha! Thanks. I know it was hard for you, but honestly, you didn’t seem to break a sweat and all seemed so terribly vital and polish. Congrats and thanks for the wonderful poems to read. (Yours, I mean, but also on your sidebar.) k.
On Thu, Apr 30, 2015 at 7:42 PM, ManicDDaily wrote:
>
April 30, 2015 at 7:26 pm
Loved the video! Loved this poem even more. There is a playful Seussical-ness that made me smile with every reading. Thanks for sharing K and viva la!
April 30, 2015 at 7:35 pm
Oh, right back at ya! It’s been a great ride this poetry month. Love the video!
April 30, 2015 at 8:31 pm
Thank you, Mark. I have visited a couple of times, but I have been under a rather lot of job stress this month as well as the poems, and didn’t feel I could make a coherent comment. I so appreciate the intellectual vigor you bring to the blogging world. Thanks. k.
On Thu, Apr 30, 2015 at 8:35 PM, ManicDDaily wrote:
>
April 30, 2015 at 9:42 pm
you are a gem, k, with your visits, the effort and attention you pay to each, and then to produce thoughtful, sensitive, and beautiful pens – thanks for the support ~
April 30, 2015 at 9:43 pm
Ha. Well, thanks. I really appreciate your online camaraderie and your kind words. And, of course, your poems! k.
April 30, 2015 at 10:16 pm
Video is adorable .. and I love reading your poetry.
May 1, 2015 at 6:13 am
Thank you, Helen. k.
April 30, 2015 at 11:08 pm
Love the last stanza. Yes, it’s best to start speaking early, that way the time allowed for last words can be stretched out an entire life.
May 1, 2015 at 1:35 am
Thank you self. This has been a wonderful read, and I’m so glad it’s not the end ..
May 1, 2015 at 6:14 am
All those sonnets, wow! Great job, Bjorn. (I wish I could speak Swedish one-thousandth of the way you manage English!) k.
May 1, 2015 at 2:32 am
An intimate note from the front lines writ by a friend, moving on. Who knows what’s ahead. No, thank you.
May 1, 2015 at 6:14 am
Ha. Well, I know my day involves some awful memo-writing! Thanks, Brendan.
May 1, 2015 at 7:23 am
I must stand to applaud the elephant’s performance and say that I return my thanks to you in kind. I have been more than happy to facilitate the daily prompts at The Imaginary Garden – it required little effort from me because of the excellent team work of all members.
Your work has been especially inspiring to me this month. You may see them as drafts, and perhaps that is what all poems are, but each one has offered something very real in terms of intellectual and emotional integrity. You have made me laugh and cry, and it is not every writer who can achieve both.
May 1, 2015 at 7:29 am
Well, thanks so very much, Kerry. It has been a great pleasure to be part of this community organized so gently and deftly by you. k.
On Fri, May 1, 2015 at 8:23 AM, ManicDDaily wrote:
>
May 1, 2015 at 7:35 am
Hahaha – I didn’t make it here every day (mostly because I was so caught up trying to scratch out my own stuff) but you’re welcome!. I love you elephant bow, almost as much as the poem.
May 1, 2015 at 8:06 am
I love imagining the words bowing~ Thank you, Karin for all your elephant magic. Your prompts always encouraged profound reflection~
May 1, 2015 at 10:50 am
Oh this is so wonderfully perfect!
May 1, 2015 at 10:06 pm
Love the video..and thank you Thank you for all the poetry you brought to April.
May 1, 2015 at 10:08 pm
Thank you right back, Susie! You are always inspiring. Thanks and take care. K.
May 2, 2015 at 7:40 am
Just love this Karin, its sound and rhythm and sentiment, all. Wonderful!
Hearty congrats on all the words you conjured during April. Don’t stop now! 🙂
May 2, 2015 at 7:46 am
Ha. Thanks, Marian. k.
On Sat, May 2, 2015 at 8:40 AM, ManicDDaily wrote:
>