The Last Poem

A letter to the future

The last poem

we feasted without thought

took without foresight

lived for the day!

 

then, around the world

the generators went silent,  

lights flickered and went out

our screens went blank

cars, trains and planes

rusting monuments to our folly

but, for once

we could hear the wind

wonder at the Milky Way

 

winter crept in like a wolf

we sat, burning books

shivering in the dark

our stories and poems

now dreams from the past

 

years later I found

a single dusty sheet of paper

puzzled over a pencil stub

 

tentatively I made a mark upon the page

then slowly, laboriously

formed childish letters

remembered from long dead screens

until the letters formed words,

the words became sentences

advice to the future

then I stopped
thought long upon the words
until they fell lame
dumb stones through my grasp

I scored them out and wrote

To my future brothers and sisters 
we really fucked up!
learn from our mistakes
be one with the earth!

 

Reviews

[barleygirl]

I love everything you're saying here, I think these things all the time, & I like the way you always do what you do with much imagination & unique approach. I'm crazy about the whole idea of losing electricity & electronics, leaving us to fend without conveniences, only to discover the simple joys that people had stopped appreciating (love this part):
"winter crept in like a wolf
we sat, burning books
shivering in the dark
our stories and poems
now dreams from the past"

At the end, the letter part (in bold) wasn't nearly as imaginative & original as the rest . . . actually pretty lame compared to the monumental lessons that could be conveyed about our centuries of folly. But then again, maybe simple basics are appropriate here, since it's impossible to really get our arms around the shortsighted way we squandered Mother Earth & her treasures. Anything we say at this point, about our selfish greed, could never be sufficient! *sigh!* (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[alanwgraham]

Thanks for your thoughts about this Margie. You are spot on with your comments on the final section and i think you've chosen the right word for it. I really wasn't too happy with it myself and I'll hope for some inspiration and make another attempt. It's great to see that in WC we are very aware of what's going on.
Regards, Alan

[barleygirl]

This ending is so much more authentic! I love it! Sometimes it's better to admit that we're too lame to do or say what is needed anymore! This ending really kicks a*s now! *smile* Fondly, Margie

[KWP]

yes - it's funny, but not funny at all the choices we have made along the path of history to bring us to this point. I was listening to a podcast recently that reminded me MONEY has only been a way in this existence for the past five hundred years - such a small, small wedge of time in the very big scheme of things - and look at the evil and havoc it causes - one day we will all be gone - for our own experiment on self will eradicate us all - it's just the way of things - exhausted by the fight - we too will be lo longer.

Poignant words above my friend - well done X

[alanwgraham]

Thanks for your thoughtful and kind review. I agree with what you are saying. The human race is an enigma, capable of soaring the heights - but also of plumbing the depths.
I think you are a 'soarer'!
Cheers,
Alan

[Karen Redburn]

I enjoyed the read. How true with global warming threats and how we live by the light of the screen, we miss out on the beauty that surrounds us in nature. A sad and timely warning hopefully it gets us thinking and improving our actions.

[alanwgraham]

Thanks Karen. I just hope that it's not prophetic but it's in our hands
Regards, alan

[Les]

A poem with a real message Alan. I shivered as I read it with the words "Brave New World" going through my head. Although we seem to rushing headlong into some cataclysm, I trust that I may be dust when it comes to pass. Maybe that's being overly optimistic but my biggest concern is for our children and, then, their children and the toxic legacy they may inherit from our generation. This is a salutary piece of writing (and well executed). I hope that somebody else out there is listening. Regards.

[alanwgraham]

Thanks for reading this Les. It does make me feel pessimistic thinking about the future but as you say for our kids and grandchildren.
Regards, Alan

[Relic]

This reminds me of 1984 or Fahrenheit 451. The ending says it all.

Excellent poem, alan.

[alanwgraham]

Thank for reading. Perhaps a bit pessimistic but not unless we wise up.
Cheers,
Alan

[Kelly Scheppers]

This world is ever changing day by day, and not just the technology of it. The human in humanity is a far cry from what it used to be. Thank you for a most philosophical read, Alan!

[alanwgraham]

Thanks Kelly. These days you need to work hard to be optimistic but there are many good things happening. I think young people know that it's their world to save.
All the best,
Alan

[brad]

I like the narrative work, with a somber and realistic ending,

[alanwgraham]

Thanks brad. Sorry I missed your review. You are right is saying that babies do grow up so enjoy the innocence.
Cheers.alan

[Norman 223]

How far can we saturate the environment before it becomes self-destructive? You paint a graphic picture
of this potential, Alan.
The irony of having lost manual skills in writing was perfect, as there have been reports that many kids cannot even hold a pen properly these days. Perhaps we need to restore a form of "National Service" where everyone learns basic survival techniques before we finally f..... up our environment..

[alanwgraham]

Thanks Norman. You might just have something there.
Cheers,
Alan

[Samuel Dickens]

I'd like to think we could rise from the ashes of our stupid mistakes, but your idea of avoiding destruction in the first place is a better way to go. Pencils, paper, gazing at the stars and other wonders of nature are the stuff of my youth, and I wouldn't trade the memories for anything. Your poem really makes one think.

[alanwgraham]

Thanks Samuel. I feel a bit guilty for putting so much dismal stuff on wc but we are in a bit of a pickle at present. Thanks for your thoughtful comments. I suppose that it's hard not to think of what we are leaving for our children and grandchildren.
Good wishes from beautiful mallorca where the sun is shining!
Regards,
Alan

[Samuel Dickens]

I visited Palma de Mallorca several times while in the navy. Is the paella still awesome?

[alanwgraham]

Yup. Paella and vino are great.
Adios samuel

[Cherrie Palmer]

....as winter crept in like a wolf
.. Wish I would have dreamed that up, so very good

[alanwgraham]

Thanks Cherrie - I'm not sure i did think it up as I'm not too good at these figures of speech.
read moreThanks Cherrie - I'm not sure i did think it up as I'm not too good at these figures of speech.
Regards, Alan

[Cherrie Palmer]

Lol, well I always enjoy your work