Thursday, June 22, 2017

Last Journey


image from deviantart,com


Last Journey

“Every day is a journey, and the journey itself
is home.”--Matsuo Basho.

Most of us will die at night. 
We clutch at hope during the day--
in darkness we give up the fight.

Whether it be wrong, or it be right,
somehow our soul finds a way;
most of us will die at night.

No matter our deeds, or how very bright
our inner flame, or how much we pray,
in darkness we give up the fight.

We hope to be greeted by the sight
of loved ones & friends, whose smiles are gay.
Most of us will die at night.

Yes, as we walk slowly toward the light,
in transition we will find our true way;
in darkness we give up the fight.

Moving up we approach the heights,
leaving our many demons at bay;
most of us will die at night--

in darkness we give up the fight.  


Glenn Buttkus

Posted over at dVerse Poets Pub MTB Villanelle
at

14 comments:

  1. brudbergJune 22, 2017 at 12:19 PM

    I think this way of dying sounds so much warmer and kinder than raging against the night... wonderful use of the form.

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  2. Kim M. RussellJune 22, 2017 at 12:25 PM

    Another gentle view of death, Glenn. I would like to go at night - fading into darkness rather than seeing the light of another new day and feeling that I'd be missing out on something.

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  3. CharleyJune 22, 2017 at 12:29 PM

    I think I'll just skip the day or night thing and not die. However, your villanelle is well-done!

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  4. GraceJune 22, 2017 at 12:35 PM

    We are talking about the same theme of death Glenn ~ I had 3 uncles passing away this half year and its really sad that though the families kept up the fight, in the end, we all die from the sickness and failure of our health to respond to the medicines ~ Love that Basho quote too ~

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  5. lillianthehomepoet.wordpress.comJune 22, 2017 at 12:56 PM

    I remember leaning close to my mom as she was leaving this earth and whispering in her ear to look for the light. She suddenly sat upright, smiled at me, laid down, and was gone. I like to think my dad met her at the light, took her hand, and led her out of pain. This fits with your thoughts here.
    And, you handled the form well.

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  6. indybevJune 22, 2017 at 1:04 PM


    Whether I go day or night, I just pray I go quickly and gracefully, without being a burden for my children at the end. You mastered the form, Glenn. Well done.

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  7. Walter J. WojtanikJune 22, 2017 at 1:41 PM

    Great use of form, Glenn. And your depiction has such humanity within it. I feel every nuance you have expressed. Well done, indeed.

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  8. Alison HJune 22, 2017 at 1:44 PM

    I think you did a fabulous job with this and it rings true.

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  9. Frank HubenyJune 22, 2017 at 2:02 PM

    I liked the theme reminding us of the night when most of us give up the fight. All the repetition of the villanelle kept bringing home the message in slightly different ways.

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  10. BeachannyJune 22, 2017 at 3:49 PM

    Excellent villanelle! Even within the rigors of the form, there was your true voice - clear, uncompromising, and unerring. It's true it's usually at night, or when all but one or everyone has left the room. It's as though with no voices speaking, permission is given to fly on, to explore one's own next, unique set of adventures (to misquote Dumbledore). Thanks Glenn.

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  11. ThotpurgeJune 22, 2017 at 7:10 PM

    Very Dylan-esque though with a contrary message. Wonderful read!

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  12. Sumana RoyJune 22, 2017 at 11:15 PM

    I like this calm and smooth journey into the night. So very well done.

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  13. Colin LeeJune 23, 2017 at 6:27 PM

    Sounds like the unuttered reply by Dylan's father ... the old man who's ready and isn't raging anymore.

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  14. Rosemary Nissen-WadeJune 24, 2017 at 4:35 PM

    Beautifully written and deeply thoughtful (and thought-provoking). I love Colin's comment!

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