painting by Maxi Rodriguez.
Death as Lover
“What would humans do without love,
become the Undead?”--Terry Pratchett.
Living the plague years,
with a quarter million dead
at our very doorstep,
we can only conjure Hope
from the strength within.
--Glenn Buttkus
To the well organ-
ized mind, death is but the next
great adventure.--J.K.Rowling
When death first touches you
as a youth, it’s a monster
of the first order,
but as it reappears its
features do soften.
--Glenn Buttkus
I am not afraid
of death, I just don’t want to
be there when it happens.
--Woody Allen
Death, as uterine
cancer, lingered with my mother,
taking her at 39,
but I took flight and soared
as all fledglings must.
--Glenn Buttkus
The fear of death is
related to fear of life;
a man who lives fully
is prepared to die.
--Mark Twain
In the Twilight Zone,
Death has the face of Robert Redford,
and the hands of Jesus.--Glenn Buttkus
I don’t want to die without any scars.
--Chuck Palahniuk.
For Sale--Baby Shoes--Never worn.
--Ernest Hemingway.
When people don’t express themselves, they die
one piece at a time.--Halse Anderson.
The Virus has taken
a dear friend of mine at 59,
so she doesn’t have to fight
cancer any longer.--Glenn Buttkus
For me, death is skidding
in broadside in a cloud of smoke,
totally worn out, while loudly
proclaiming, Wow, what a fucking ride!
--Hunter S. Thompson
If Death is a doorway,
and I hope it is, then Covid
is a resplendent Doorman.
--Glenn Buttkus
You only live twice,
once when you are born, and when
you look death in the face.
--Ian Fleming.
Over the last few years,
I’m sometimes awakened hearing
someone call my name.
--Glenn Buttkus.
When he shall die, cut him
into little stars, so that the world
will be in love with the night.
--William Shakespeare.
I’d like to think that
death is just exiting the play to
change costume and return
as a new character.
--Glenn Buttkus
Glenn Buttkus
Renga--haiku, tanka, senryu, & gembun.
Posted over at d'Verse Poet's Pub
16 comments:
A sparkling array of jinsei Glenn - it's hard to pick a favourite - (I think my least favourite was Twain's quote on the unfulfilled life - I don't think he knows anything about death) As a whole, this work says to me - that for many of us, we'll see death again and again - in different windows - sometimes hurrying by, sometimes plainly and sometimes in dreams. Great stuff.
Glenn I not only really like the original pieces you’ve written here, but bravo to the focus you put into finding relevant statements from past voices. I’m not certain I want to come back as another character brother, it might be nice to just come back as the scenery.
What a dance of ideas concerning the inevitable. Interesting the idea of death's feature's softening with repeated associations. These are all good for their matter of fact lack of fear.
I'd hate to think in death I'd have to provide a rejoinder for every thought cast my way. Give me silence. Thank you for taking on the task.
An insightful compendium of quotes on the subject, Glenn. Your quotes stand with all of the ones you have included. Of course, I'm thrilled to see you quote Chuck P. Not a fan of Thompson's method of leaving. I hope mine is quiet, with loved ones near, holding my hand.
Your series of Jisei offer a profound meditation on death--and living life to the full in the face of it. Bravo!
Wow, Glenn, a whole renku of Jisei, and a good choice in the Terry Pratchett quote! The first of yours is contemporary and we all identify with it. The others are more personal and tell us about you. I love the final one, with death exiting the play to ‘change costume and return as a new character’.
I love these quotes Glenn, especially the ones you wrote yourself. Definitely in the philosophical spirit of jisei, if I have understood correctly!
I love the interpretation of the prompt as a journey through the words of others, inspiring your own expression on each quote.
A powerful reflection on life and death Glenn.
Hopefully, that particular "doorman" doesn't expect a Christmas gratuity.
I'd like to think that too. Another overflowing pondering. The Hemingway gets me every time.
Your quotes are incredible Glenn, I’m saving them for future reference. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on deathl.
Your quotes were wonderful Glenn... both yours and others. I thought this one said it all...
The fear of death is
related to fear of life;
a man who lives fully
is prepared to die.
--Mark Twain
I love how you mixed your own poems with all those quotes you have made into poems... Somehow we need to find a way to keep death at bay until we can welcome him as an old friend...
This is so heart catching and powerful. Mesmerising rhythm and such intense meaning that held me to the end. Thank you.
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