Things Certain

June 18, 2013 at 8:03 am · Filed under Dark Side, Poems, Politics ·Tagged America, death, dying, freedom, Jack London, politics, rudyard kipling

As it will be in the future, it was at the birth of Man

There are only four things certain since Social Progress began.

That the Dog returns to his Vomit and the Sow returns to her Mire,

And the burnt Fool’s bandaged finger goes wabbling back to the Fire;

from The Gods of the Copybook Headings ~ Rudyard Kipling

 

The following poem was inspired by Jack London’s short story, The Law of Life. As I read it, I could not help but draw a parallel between the death of the old indian, Koskoosh, to the state of—possibly the dying of—our country.

Things Certain

 

The fire fluttered, snapping weakly

Fitting, she thought

Sitting on the frozen ground

Legs crossed beneath her

 

Her sight all but gone

Blurry images… trees… the pack

Lurking at the edge of the dark forest

Waiting… for her to die

 

They had left her here

As they had journeyed to the south

Seeking… always seeking

A perfect world

 

It is time… they had told her

You have lived a good life

We will carry you in our hearts

For a while

 

Then… life will go on

Different, though somehow the same

For… much like your dying

The changes have come slowly

 

She saw the pack… only a few at first

Edging closer… growing bolder

As the fire burned down

She thought to feed the flames… but did not

 

For she knew in her heart… it was time

When she was strong

And as they moved in for the kill

She bowed her head

And thought of when she was strong

 

 A cold muzzle touched her cheek

And for a moment… in her mind

She raged and fought the beast

And then it was over

 

Copyright © 2013 C Mashburn

 

Posting this on dVerse Poets Pub’s Open link Night #101 this afternoon.

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