Doomsday Preparation

when the rebellion is over
and those who would save us
have been exiled by our petulant leaders,
armed with their dubious rationales,

when our culture is in ruins,
the land a scar, the rebels
billows of ash and dust,
the grid gone, the fuses worthless,

I will dart for my underground shelter,
latch the lead-lined doors,
and surround myself with the metallic
staccato of my typewriter

and write a poem before I die

/ / /

This poem was written in response to Wordle 42 at The Sunday Whirl.

27 thoughts on “Doomsday Preparation”

Oh yes, please do. Will it be filled with sadness, or joy? This poem makes me sad, but somehow gives me hope, too. The sound of the typewriter echoes in emptiness, you gave it life.

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Mr. Walker on February 10, 2012 at 5:34 pm said:

Brenda, thanks. Sadness or joy? Yes! (I can’t decide.)

Richard

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Once a poet… we can write our way through, over, under and around anything, can’t we? I wonder if all creative artists feel the same strong ‘I must’.

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Mr. Walker on February 10, 2012 at 5:34 pm said:

Margo, yes we can. Once we embrace the identity and the practice, then we must.

Richard

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Written like a true poet!

Q: What would you do if you had only an hour to live?

A: Grab pen and paper and write one last poem!

Whirling Haiku and Senryu

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siggiofmaine on February 5, 2012 at 6:29 pm said:

MMT…love the grab a pen and paper and write one last poem. Must remember that. Thank you…a real smile maker besides. I never could think of an answer and THERE IT WAS.☺.

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Mr. Walker on February 10, 2012 at 5:36 pm said:

I like your Q and A. It reminds me of the Isaac Asimov quote about having a certain amount of time to live. And his response: type faster.

Richard

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You used the words wonderfully. I also associated “staccato” with typewriter. I guess I would like to do exactly the same. Good to see you, Richard.

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Mr. Walker on February 10, 2012 at 5:38 pm said:

Irene, thank you for the compliment about using the words. I’ll be sure to stop by and read your poem.

Richard

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Fabulous, Richard. I think this is something most writers can relate to.

Pamela

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Mr. Walker on February 10, 2012 at 5:38 pm said:

Pamela, thanks. It always surprises me when I write about writing – but it shouldn’t.

Richard

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Nicely done, Richard!

And of course you will latch those lead-lined doors and write a poem. I would, too! But I better find a typewriter. My computer probably won’t work in a shelter.

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Mr. Walker on February 10, 2012 at 5:39 pm said:

Marianne, thanks. I better go buy a typewriter. I haven’t owned one for years. I might just have to use pen and paper.

Richard

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Ah yes, Richard. Once a poet, forever a poet. This is definitely a scenario most of us can visualize….one more poem even then!

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Mr. Walker on February 10, 2012 at 5:40 pm said:

Mary, thanks. Yes, indeed, one more poem – even then.

Richard

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Well, that would be a great way to go, Richard. = )

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Mr. Walker on February 10, 2012 at 5:40 pm said:

Laurie, thanks. I’d like to go out in style.

Richard

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poignant and beautifully written. I too would write a last poem, knowing it will ashes in the end.

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Mr. Walker on February 10, 2012 at 5:41 pm said:

Cathy, thank you. I don’t know that I’d write a good poem in that situation, but a poem written is better than one left unwritten.

Richard

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I like this. I like that so much can be stripped away, yet we’re left with who we are: poets.

Well done, Richard.

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Mr. Walker on February 10, 2012 at 5:42 pm said:

Paula, my friend, thank you. I couldn’t agree more with your take on things being stripped away.

Richard

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