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Waiting For The Big One
by Chris Sorrenti
With arms outstretched...
mouths vibrating –
imitating the sound of rocket engines,
we’d blast off into the school yard.
In hindsight, more than just a game...
waiting for the big one.
Coffins - urns - pine boxes - caskets;
call them what you want to.
Dust to dust - ashes to ashes;
there’s just no way to stop it.
Why cry for their occupants?
When soon you will see them again.
They’ve earned their wings,
as you know we all must someday;
the sky has finally claimed them.
Like some primitive instinct
that just won’t quit,
further and higher
we keep reaching above;
the swan song ceaselessly plays
in all our heads.
Look to your heart
for that pair of wings,
as the sky will soon claim you too,
for as much as you may not care to admit it
...you’re waiting for the big one.
© 1980
1,460 hits as of December 2023
08/24/2003 Posted on 08/24/2003
Copyright © 2024 Chris Sorrenti
| Member Comments on this Poem |
| Posted by Quentin S Clingerman on 08/25/03 at 02:56 AM What will be will be! (Grrr can't think of the French phrase--it was a title of a song many years ago.) The wonderful thing is that we can be ready to go whenever the time comes without fear. |
| Posted by Max Bouillet on 08/26/03 at 09:51 PM Nicely said. A poem to take to heart and hopefully your words will grant their resting place the wings needed to escape from the fear of the big one. |
| Posted by Vimal Rony on 08/27/03 at 08:14 PM Truly profound and magically put to words. |
| Posted by David R Spellman on 08/28/03 at 02:04 PM Started off feeling quite nostalgic, with memories of schoolyard play. Was surprised by the sharp turn it took and then captured by the ensuing "swan song." Another excellent and thought provoking look into the state of humankind. |
| Posted by Christina Bruno on 08/29/03 at 04:30 AM your awesome :L) |
| Posted by Jacki M Butler on 08/30/03 at 04:08 AM Chris, this is a very powerful poem, it is uplifting to think of it this way as our friends past have earned their wings and are flying above watching over us. By far I think this is my favorite. |
| Posted by Don Coffman on 08/31/03 at 07:43 AM Such an exceptionally well done look at 'the end', and the appeal of that final freedom from earth. |
| Posted by Philip F De Pinto on 09/19/03 at 11:00 AM while I wait for the big one, this small wonder of a poem will keep me company Till then. |
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