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Last Dance Amid The Stars

*Trigger warning: Death, Suicide Bottle in my left hand, cold steel in my right. A Grand Canyon revelry gone bad with only myself to blame. "Just one more selfie," she said. Her body now still upon the rocks below, broken and battered. Her last smile burned into my brain. mountain escapade inhibitions in the wind living for the thrill I drift into a reverie. High above the earth we're exploring the Miky Way and before long I'm dancing with her on Neptune. Afterward, we catch an astral wind and sail past Uranus to Saturn where we ride his rings like we used to ride the merry-go-round at Cedar Point. Her laugh is infectious. Surfing the next wave we're off to Jupiter, hopping the moons before jumping into the big stormy eye where we swirl and twirl for what seems like hours. Then it's onward to the red planet. After a soft landing, we have a conversation with a land rover about politics and religion. I marvel at her insight and sharp wit. Our intent is to skip planet earth and fly straight to Venus where we will engage in sensuous acts of love without restraint, but while hovering above our home planet her wings mysteriously disappear and she falls to her death, leaving me all alone in space. Suddenly semi-lucid, I take one last swig and stare up into the sky. Slowly, deftly I place the gun to my head and pull the trigger. I am still in space. My final destination: Black hole sun. rocky mountain high wanting the ultimate pic Cosmic obit for two

Copyright © | Year Posted 2025




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Date: 4/16/2025 8:38:00 AM
Love this tragic, cosmic narrative, Tom. The haibun is fascinating, and you do it so well! I like how you weave into dream and reality with this piece. I think it’s beautiful —going off to join the one lost—even if it is a bit dismal. Got to be careful where we take our selfies! Always, Laura
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Tom Woody
Date: 4/16/2025 9:58:00 AM
Yes ma'am and thx
Date: 4/15/2025 4:37:00 PM
This was devastating and stunning all at once--like grief with stars in its eyes. Your imagery pulled me straight into that astral descent… her laugh echoing on Saturn’s rings, your pain orbiting like moons that never settle. That ending--“black hole sun”--left me breathless. It’s more than a last act... it’s a collapse of light. Powerful, poetic, unforgettable.
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Tom Woody
Date: 4/15/2025 4:45:00 PM
Ooh, grief with stars in its eyes. Now that's poetic. Thx so much
Date: 4/4/2025 1:53:00 PM
A sad topic is highlighted in this beautifully woven tale. I enjoyed the cosmic journey, even so. Blessings.
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Tom Woody
Date: 4/4/2025 1:57:00 PM
Hey Evvy thx for stopping
Date: 4/3/2025 3:11:00 PM
Wow... uh... not what i was expecting to read. Such a delightful chase around the solar system to lead to "dead ends". Don't use the cold steel upon thyself. You only end up right back here doing it all again anyway... the creator has a sense of humor... and no mercy ... and endless retries...
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Tom Woody
Date: 4/3/2025 3:38:00 PM
Fascinating! Thx for visit
Date: 4/3/2025 1:12:00 PM
a roulette of a joirney capped by self destruction...harrowing, telling , yet conveys the reality of things tragic. .remarkable, tom!
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Tom Woody
Date: 4/3/2025 1:28:00 PM
Not every story has a happy ending... Except in Hollywood
Date: 4/2/2025 8:34:00 PM
WOWW! That is all I have to say. The symbolism, the journey, the imagery-- THIS IS AMAZING!!! What a poignant yet thrilling (in a sad way) piece. Work of art.
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Tom Woody
Date: 4/3/2025 5:40:00 AM
Appreciate your comment. Haibun is my fave form to write in at present
Date: 4/1/2025 5:21:00 PM
Tom, quite a trip around the planets. It’s tough for people who get depressed and we’ve also seen some people who don’t understand risk and get themselves into trouble that way. It’s not easy living a balanced lifestyle, but my goodness how wonderful it can be. Smiles!!
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Tom Woody
Date: 4/1/2025 6:29:00 PM
So true. Stay safe folks!
Date: 4/1/2025 8:42:00 AM
Dear Tom, Oh, what heartbreak your words displayed. Thanks for shining light on this all too often ignored hurt. In my office every single week we have people who are suicidal and do self-harm which is the norm for them. It is such a sad situation and I always believe God has put me into the counseling world to walk with these broken individuals. I have sat 4-5 hours with individuals who are suicidal keeping them safe waiting for the police to take them to inpatient. Thanks again! Spring Blessings, My Friend, Daniel
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Tom Woody
Date: 4/1/2025 8:58:00 AM
Sadly, some act rashly, spontaneously without giving much thought to consequences. Glad you're there to help at least some Daniel
Date: 3/28/2025 7:14:00 AM
The ending is haunting, and youv woven very celestial imagery throughout this haibun which you always write so well. The storytelling and the little details in this paints a very vivid story of such a tragic tale. This is a subject that can be difficult for some to read about , so to put a trigger warning is thoughtful. I hope nobody feels the need to leave in such a way due to loss and grief that can sometimes be overwhelming. Brilliant use of planets etc too here! Pleasure reading this. Best wishes
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Tom Woody
Date: 3/28/2025 1:04:00 PM
Thx for kind review. Maria's latest inspired it
Date: 3/26/2025 9:48:00 PM
Dear Tommy, again you take us to great heights with the Wow factor, this is a beautifully haunting piece—raw, poetic, and trippy all at once. The contrast between reckless adventure and cosmic longing is gripping, and the haikus add such a poignant rhythm. Love how the celestial journey mirrors the emotional descent. It’s dark, but in the best way—like a psychedelic dream that lingers.
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Tom Woody
Date: 3/27/2025 5:42:00 AM
I deleted one yesterday. Yes, taking a foolish dare for the sake of a great pic has led to many tragedies. The human obsession with self. Thx Maria
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Maria Williams
Date: 3/26/2025 9:49:00 PM
I could have sworn there were 2 poems of yours I had to comment on, perhaps its just me...Hugs
Date: 3/26/2025 9:35:00 AM
rocky mountain high wanting the ultimate pic Cosmic obit for two ALL WRITTEN WITH INSPIRED BEAUTY, THE LAST VERSES I FOUND BRILLIANT
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Tom Woody
Date: 3/26/2025 9:51:00 AM
Muchos gracias!
Date: 3/26/2025 9:25:00 AM
That’s so sad Tom, I worked with a lovely young woman years ago, she suffered with anxiety and sadly she committed suicide. No one knows what goes on in someone’s mind… Beryl
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Tom Woody
Date: 3/26/2025 9:50:00 AM
Sorry about your experience. Thx for visit
Date: 3/25/2025 11:25:00 PM
Heartfelt write Tommy. Excellent scenario of travelling to the planets. Suicide just the word tops you in your tracks when seeing or hearing. I had a friend who was in the ninth grade. He was quiet and smart. Never bothered or picked on anyone. Introverted slightly. Had a warm personality and was kind to others. The story that I heard from my classmates that lived near my friend Guy, was that I guess he asked his parents to buy him some prescription glasses and they didn't and because of that...
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Tom Woody
Date: 3/26/2025 5:33:00 AM
Sad story Michael. This was actually inspired by Maria's recent post, at least the cosmic part
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Michael Tor
Date: 3/25/2025 11:29:00 PM
He put a gun in his mouth and ended his God given life. I am sure there were other reasons leading to this shocking behavior. What was sad that a week prior him and I went dirt riding he had a nice trail bike and I had a Rupp mini bike and he let me ride the motor cycle and he rode the rupp. I had no clue he was in that state of mind. I would have reached out to help but he gave no signs of being in distress. Thanks for sharing Tommy, God bless you buddy...
Date: 3/25/2025 10:48:00 PM
it is said when people take their lives, they are surprisingly at peace with themelves hours before the act....another masterpiece of a haibun-- brave yet disturbing, tom.
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Tom Woody
Date: 3/26/2025 5:31:00 AM
I was watching a video of a young man who tried to kill himself and he said he asked God right before he pulled the trigger to give him a sign and suddenly everything got ultra quiet around him. But instead of seeing that as his answer he took it as a rejection and blew his face off. So terribly sad
Date: 3/25/2025 2:58:00 PM
Whoa!! So sad. Suicide is never a way out of anything. It only puts the person somewhere else and there are only two choices for the life hereafter. Even worse if it is murder then suicide. I felt like I was there in the way this is written. Thanks for sharing. Sara K
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Tom Woody
Date: 3/25/2025 3:17:00 PM
A good Haibun should be in the moment and make you feel like an observer. If I succeeded I'm happy
Date: 3/25/2025 12:08:00 PM
A few years back there were a string of selfie accidents. A photo of smiling newlyweds was discovered of the lovebirds backing off a cliff in Yosemite. Alas! so fickle is fate. Robert
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Tom Woody
Date: 3/25/2025 12:32:00 PM
All we can do is shake our heads with a tear in one eye. Thx much
Date: 3/25/2025 11:36:00 AM
Powerful and disturbing. Any truly good writing will illicit strong emotions and you are an excellent writer. Your haiku is the chaos of the subject ordered into straight lines. You amaze and excite and capture the imagination! Xoxo
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Crystol Woods
Date: 4/4/2025 4:41:00 PM
Oooo! Good luck! I skipped that one... couldn't get it right. Xo
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Tom Woody
Date: 3/25/2025 12:31:00 PM
That's always my goal as a writer, to elicit an honest emotional response. Or sometimes to educate. Thinking of taking on the Jesus contest...
Date: 3/25/2025 3:37:00 AM
It would be lovely to skip from one planet to another. BTW they say there's a darer planet behind Pluto. Maybe they are seeing double. That's where suicide may come in.
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Tom Woody
Date: 3/25/2025 5:43:00 AM
Yes planet hopping would be lovely. Thx
Date: 3/25/2025 3:18:00 AM
- Suicide is often a taboo subject, but is more common than we think - A deeply sad poem, Tom - hugs
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Tom Woody
Date: 3/25/2025 5:43:00 AM
Way more common, especially among the young and immature
Date: 3/25/2025 1:32:00 AM
Dark and dubious ! Your poem creates an atmosphere of suspense and terror. Was her landing at the foot of the hill, an imprudent action or an accident? This has all the elements of a terror movie. However you wish to join her in lands beyond planets. Great narration accompanied by great senryus !
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Tom Woody
Date: 3/25/2025 5:44:00 AM
Thx Valsa. No happy ending on this one
Date: 3/24/2025 11:05:00 PM
I really like this. But I am not clear on if her death was accidental or murder . I have seen too many shows about guys pushing their partners off cliffs! Really nice reverie.
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Tom Woody
Date: 3/25/2025 5:13:00 AM
Thx. They were drunk she fell while taking a daring selfie
Date: 3/24/2025 6:44:00 PM
Tommy This is an excellent haibun poem that covers themes of loss, regret, and escape. It contrasts the exhilaration of adolescent adventure and love with the fatal repercussions of imprudent action. You dwell on a deadly occurrence and struggle with remorse and the urge for connection, leading to a sad climax. Your writing is vibrant and expressive, with imagery that conveys both beauty and terror. Phrases like "cold steel," "broken and bruised," and "her final grin burnt into my memory" highlight the dramatic contrast between life and death, happiness and sadness. The cosmic voyage is depicted with fanciful words, heightening the contrast between exhilarating experience and heartbreaking loss.
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Tom Woody
Date: 3/25/2025 5:44:00 AM
Thx for the kind review
Date: 3/24/2025 3:31:00 PM
Feels like a dark movie!
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Tom Woody
Date: 3/24/2025 3:37:00 PM
Or a nightmare. Thx
Date: 3/24/2025 2:49:00 PM
"So sad when someone thinks that taking their life will make things better for them, because in truth, it makes things worse. One, premeditated murder is a sin and two, their loved ones are affected by this. Emotionally. Your thoughts touch my heart deeply. My best to you, Tommy. Hugs, Brandy"
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Tom Woody
Date: 3/24/2025 2:52:00 PM
Young love, drinking and canyon climbing can be a toxic mix. These two lovebirds learned the hard way. Thx Brandy
Date: 3/24/2025 2:27:00 PM
A creative story Tom. Well written Haibun with two senryus. Sad story. Suicide is tough.
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Tom Woody
Date: 3/24/2025 2:52:00 PM
Thx much Ollie
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