There have always been times
in the history of humanity
when people have had to look at themselves,
when people have had to look at their surroundings,
and when people have had to look
at the faces of their loved ones,
and wondered whether this would be the day:
whether this would be when the world
would come to an end…
there have been times when nature
has taken humanity to a point
where and when the outcome of
what was about to happen was not guaranteed,
where and when no matter what protection
we think we have against an imminent threat
we know that the possibility of surviving
what is going to take place is not a given…
there have been devastating asteroid impacts
that have led to the extinction of entire species;
there have been epic storms that have caused
massive amounts of destruction and death;
there have been numerous instances when
attacks have occurred which have lead to fatalities
that could not have been prevented
nor predicted by anyone…
there have always been dangerous times -
when the world around us has felt
as if it were teetering on a knife-edge -
when there are tensions between
powerful nations capable of wielding
arsenals that could lead to
mass casualties and worldwide annihilation…
there have always been times
when we have been told to prepare for the worst -
during times of war, or when there has been
an outbreak of a deadly disease;
and when there is such a time
when the odds of survival might seem insurmountable,
and when the situation unfolding
seems too grim to bear,
everyone around the world needs
something and someone to remind them
that no matter what happens in life,
and no matter what humanity
sometimes has to go through,
there will always be something and someone
that will make the difference
and guide your way through the world -
even if darkness seems to have descended over everything -
and every time you return to them
they give you a little bit of hope
that you are going to be alright
and eventually everything will pass;
and if the end does come,
and if you need something or someone
to hold your hand as you make your way
through an era of potential dystopia,
then think of me and keep a copy of this poem
with you to read whenever you need to be reminded
of the importance of the words of a poet
and you need a poem for the end of the world.
The end
‘The Wolf In Us’ by Mark Hastings – Epilogue: “Goodbye, Olivia”
My Poem “The Goodbye Song”
There was once a minstrel,
who walked from place to place,
who was known for being extremely lyrical,
who always had a smile on his face.
The minstrel was always outwardly hopeful,
the minstrel was always a beacon of optimism;
however, the minstrel was not invulnerable
and occasionally he felt like he was living
in some kind of psychological prison.
The minstrel loved to walk,
the minstrel loved the open road
that to him had always seemed unending;
however, one day the minstrel
found himself unable to sing,
unable to smile, unable to talk –
as if he had been struck
by a lightning bolt
that shook him to his core.
The minstrel found himself
somewhere he had never imagined existed:
the minstrel had arrived within a place
without light which he could not exit.
The minstrel did not know where he now was –
but, for the first time in his life,
having previously always known
where to go and what to say,
all that the minstrel felt
at this moment was lost.
The minstrel finally decided to take
his lute in his hands and give
the strings that he knew so well
one final strum –
and then, as he continued to walk
further into the darkness of the unknown,
the minstrel started to play,
to nobody but himself and the void,
what he called his “Goodbye Song”.
My Poem ‘Twilight of the Poet’
Don’t be sad, it’s not the end of the world…
Don’t cry, these are just words…
Don’t worry, my poetry isn’t going anywhere…
Don’t fear, my spirit will always be here…
Don’t follow, where I must go I must go alone…
Don’t hesitate to come back here and say hello…
Don’t think this is easy, it never is…
Don’t think that I won’t miss this…
Don’t watch too long as I race towards the sun…
Don’t ever hesitate to follow your heart and have fun…
Don’t forget the past, but never feel imprisoned by regrets…
Don’t forget me, remember me and be happy that we met…
Don’t do what I did, but believe everything that I said…
Don’t think this is goodbye, this is not the end…
Don’t worry, this is only the twilight of the poet.
Mark The Poet 