Final Choice

A poem about writing and that other thing.

Final Choice

As poets ponder
In their midnights dreary
Turning over lines
Comparing theirs to those
Of old timers and new ones too
They are faced with an age
Old decision regarding
A choice of metaphors

Dusk or dawn

Endless dark night
Or bright new day

For that most common

Of commonalities
Which we won’t mention
Until I make my choice

(A choice I shouldn’t delay

Considering my age
And advancing state of decay)

Before I set sail on those

Mythic five rivers
Before I meet the boatman
Who will carry my
Soul to oblivion or glory
A mythology or reality
(A reality requiring a large
Leap of will power)
Must be settled upon

Else how will I write

My final poem
My death poem

Oh no

I mentioned the word
And no choice yet made

Guess I’ll just go on

And live out this day
Ignoring metaphors
Until another drear
Midnight comes along
When ponderous pondering
Begs for a final song