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The End

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Author's Notes: "The End" is a Lyric poem I completed on June 12, 2016. I was inspired to write this particular poem based on another very deep read of and considerable contemplation on Sylvia Plath's classic and very sad poem from February 5, 1963, called "Edge." Plath's poem was only an inspiration as I just mentioned. The direction I took with my new write here, and the result, are much different. My focused intent with the literary motif of this poem was to touch on the imagined symbolism of death and transformation through the eyes of a dead person who had just very recently passed on. I chose this specific metaphysical prism in an ethereally-optic sense to reflect the supposed, conjectured views and observations noted by the dead person who is the narrator of this poem. I chose not to dwell on any specific religious dogma in this write. During this immediate transition period the dead person in question has just crossed over from the land of the living to the land of the dead, and is now spending his first night lying in temporary repose on a cold mortuary slab (apparently awaiting the funeral preparation procedures to begin on the very next day). Several of the things I have the dead narrator touch on could very well be the actual musing of his "Soul Body" as it has concurrently separated now from the dead "Mortal Body," and awaits its final ethereal assignment and destination. Being in a new state of spiritual transformation, if you will, I wanted this write to reflect some possible initial reactions and thoughts of the new Soul Body during this very short transition period. The final two verses of this poem briefly portray the Soul Body's ascension upward toward Heaven into God's eternal light. "The End," the title of this poem, actually marks the demarcation point from the world of the living to the world of the dead. As the Soul Body ascends now heavenward in its final state of grace, it is no longer part of "The End," but is now "The Beginning" of a new state of existence in God's light. (Gary Bateman - June 13, 2016) (Lyric)                                                                              

Categories: change, death, god, heaven, judgement, metaphor, and symbolism.

The End Seeing through these cold dead eyes now, This world looks much different. The scars of one’s life entire, Appear now for all to see. What once meant everything, Really means nothing now. I still see and sense things mortal, But the earthly world can’t hear my words. Lying on an ice-cold white slab this darkest night, I see the pale yellow moon’s sad face in the sky. With visions of people who’ve crossed over before, I wonder when Charon shall finally appear? Shall it be him who appears on this new horizon? Or shall it be someone or something else? The everyday mortal world moves on as before: Regardless of one’s wealth, poverty, fame, shame, infamy. I guess now all the ancient mysteries of the universe, Shall become obvious and answered in kind. I wonder what shall be said to me and the reception? Thumbs up or thumbs down—I guess I shall find out. The pale yellow moon now appears brighter . . . As if a special message cometh soon from a winged angel. Hope this helps to answer my lingering questions . . . As the dark void from the mortal world grows greater now. I feel a gentle tug pulling me upward now from Earth’s grasp, Into the majestic arms of infinity and into God’s eternal light! Gary Bateman, Copyright © All Rights Reserved, June 12, 2016 (Lyric)

Copyright © | Year Posted 2016




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Date: 1/14/2021 2:21:00 PM
It's great that this deep poem is up front leading the parade of poems in the 2020 PS Anthology. Well penned, Gary ~
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Gary Bateman
Date: 4/2/2021 6:18:00 AM
Hello Line!! I really appreciate your comment here. This one is a very special lyric poem for me. Its presence in the parade of poems in the 2020 PS Anthology is something I am very proud of. Its message and meaning are timeless!! Cheers and Best, Gary
Date: 4/1/2020 10:06:00 PM
something we all wonder and imagine, felt moved by your vision.
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Gary Bateman
Date: 4/1/2020 11:23:00 PM
Hello Linda!! Thanks again for dropping by for a read one of my other poems. In this case with "The End" I was inspired to write this lyric poem after I had finished reading Sylvia Plath's classical masterpiece poem, entitled "Edge." You might want to take a read of another poem of mine, entitled: "The Beginning," in which I explored another aspect of a time-old metaphysical theme I touched on in relation to "The End." Best Wishes Always, Gary
Date: 2/21/2019 2:51:00 PM
hello Gary, I must say that this poem is so different. As i read this poem I saw the scenes before my eyes. Have a nice day my friend.
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Darlene De Beaulieu
Date: 2/21/2019 5:51:00 PM
Hello Gary , i am very proud you.
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Gary Bateman
Date: 2/21/2019 5:01:00 PM
Many Thanks Darlene for your read and comments on "The End." This is a very special lyric poem that I enjoyed developing and writing. I believe I posted a companion poem to it later, entitled: "The Beginning." And I had another one, entitled: "The Unknown." (Presently I've been away from Poetry Soup since December 2018 as I am working my getting my second book of poetry finalized and published.) Cheers and Best, Gary
Date: 12/18/2017 6:09:00 AM
Even though I am now fully grown, It is so great living life of my own; Not dreary and dark, Or raving mad stark; Someday will be near God's thrown.
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Gary Bateman
Date: 12/18/2017 11:16:00 AM
Time will tell what happens ultimately James. You may be right about this. Cheers, Gary
Date: 10/21/2017 9:55:00 PM
so very dark and so very beautiful, Gary, your words so inspiring Hugs Eve ~`*
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Gary Bateman
Date: 10/23/2017 2:53:00 PM
Thanks Eve!! I really enjoyed developing the theme for this Lyric. I really appreciate too, your comments!! Cheers and Best, Gary
Date: 9/18/2017 6:14:00 PM
A deep write Gary - on my visions with the dead no matter how they died - it is true all of it means nothing now - May I direct you to one of my latest poems - I Tried - Not quite hit that mortuary table as I the dying partner - But most certainly on the way - Kind regards . . .
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Gary Bateman
Date: 9/19/2017 12:31:00 PM
Thanks Indiana!! I really appreciate your read and comments here on "The End." Certainly, I'll drop by and check out "I Tried," and "The Poets Retreat." Best Wishes, Gary
Date: 9/14/2017 6:40:00 AM
A very deep and reflective write my friend.. So happy I came across this today..
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Gary Bateman
Date: 9/14/2017 8:29:00 AM
Thanks Silent!! I am very glad you liked this particular Lyric. (I have two Lyric writes posted as well from the same genre of thought: It`s Your Time and The Unknown. You might find them of interest too!! Cheers and Best, Gary
Date: 4/2/2017 10:56:00 AM
Very nice ink
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Gary Bateman
Date: 4/2/2017 2:29:00 PM
Street Cries, Thanks for your note and read here of "The End." This one was an interesting write for sure to put together. Cheers and Best, Gary
Date: 3/7/2017 9:54:00 PM
Beauty at its finest, Gary I loved the line ..pale, yellow moon's sad face in the sky. I could almost visualize that.
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Gary Bateman
Date: 3/10/2017 6:18:00 PM
Hello Gayle!! Thanks very much for your read and most gracious comments regarding "The End." This was and still is one of my favorite metaphysical favorites!! Cheers and Best, Gary
Date: 12/12/2016 7:54:00 AM
Hi Gary. A great view from the thoughts of a soul who is now on his way to another new beginning. Very well written and perceptive. Have a wonderful day my friend.... Robert.
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Gary Bateman
Date: 12/12/2016 2:57:00 PM
Hello Robert!! Thanks for your gracious words here. I'm very pleased you enjoyed "The End." There is much to think about with this particular lyric write. I look forward to reading your poetry too!! Cheers and Best, Gary
Date: 11/16/2016 8:52:00 AM
Very nice, Gary. Great ending ... "I feel a gentle tug pulling me upward now from Earth’s grasp, Into the majestic arms of infinity and into God’s eternal light!"
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Gary Bateman
Date: 11/17/2016 4:35:00 PM
Thanks Kurt!! I'm very pleased that you liked this particular Lyric, and especially the ending. Those last two verses seemed to fit the whole concept of what I was leading up to with this particular theme. I wish you all the best and look forward to reading more of your poetry in the future. Cheers and Best, Gary
Date: 10/21/2016 6:14:00 AM
What a Gem of a Poem you have created dear friend Gary. Reading your Poem was a joy which moved the mind and hearts both to realize the last truth of life which we often overlook till we are in our senses “What once meant everything, really means nothing now." Your poem goes as a favorite one of me now. You deserve 10 out of 7 unfortunately the number above 7 is not to here to mark it for this beautiful splendid sole awakening write and thank you once again for your kind words on my poem.L & W B
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Gary Bateman
Date: 10/22/2016 9:09:00 AM
Hello Ravindra!! Thanks so much for your very gracious comments here on "The End." (I've actually now converted this poem into flash-fiction short story write which will be in my upcoming second book for 2017. The story version has the title: "Spiritual Alchemy.") And thank for high rating too!! You might want to check out "The Unknown" too. It is an earlier poem I did this year. Thematically, it's similar to "The End." Best Always, Gary
Date: 8/21/2016 7:19:00 AM
An interesting poem, Gary - Congrats on your POTD! My very best regards! :) john P.s A seven...For making me pause, reflect and think a bit.
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Gary Bateman
Date: 8/21/2016 6:07:00 PM
Thanks so much here John for your congrats and your wonderful comment!! (I have a due-out to get by to check out your poetry.) I've written a few others similar to "The End," with more in the pipeline to come. My second book for next year will be prose writes vice poetry, for a change, and will feature a story I'm calling "Spiritual Alchemy" which will be a build out from the theme of "The End." Cheers, Gary
Date: 8/21/2016 7:16:00 AM
Ahhh...The eternal question! Perhaps it is just a simple case of one big collective intelligence: The universe comes into existence and needed something to wonder why it should have done so. Upon a "beings" death it is simply that - dead! However that is not to say it cannot experience the wonders of the universe again when in some other alien form on an unknown planet (to us) out on the edges of deep space. Not reincarnation - Just part of the same consciousness viewed through a new set of eyes
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Gary Bateman
Date: 8/21/2016 6:13:00 PM
Hello John, I really appreciate your comment here. Guaranteed that all of us -- one way or another -- will get the opportunity one day to test these ethereal circumstances for sure. I find the metaphysical aspects of all this stuff to be fascinating!! Continued Best Wishes . . . Gary
Date: 7/24/2016 8:51:00 PM
You sure can write Gary, I enjoy your notes as much as your poetry. God Bless
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Gary Bateman
Date: 7/25/2016 6:23:00 AM
Hello Jerry!! Thanks for your gracious note here and your words of positive encouragement. (I will get by to check out your latest writes.) I think I mentioned to you before that I do the "Notes" both for myself and for the reader. The notes allow me to give a round out picture of what each poem is about and my rationale for writing it. Continued best wishes to your always Jerry!! Gary
Date: 7/10/2016 8:51:00 PM
Just dropping by belatedly to congratulate you on POTD Gary. A well deserved accolade for this excellent write....Mike.
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Gary Bateman
Date: 7/11/2016 9:36:00 AM
Hello Mike!! Thanks for dropping by, and many thanks for your gracious comments. I will have another one of these in the works in the near future. "The End" is the companion poem to an earlier on I wrote and posted on April 17th: "The Unknown." We both know that the emotion "Love" is always a favorite writing theme, among others. But I also contend that any themes dealing with the ethereal world leave much too to be explored by interested poets. Again, thanks so much Mike. Best Wishes Always!! Gary
Date: 7/10/2016 11:28:00 AM
Gary, your poems are always worth my time... luv and enjoyed. A favorite. Skat
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Gary Bateman
Date: 7/10/2016 5:39:00 PM
Hello SKAT!! Thanks for dropping by and giving a read of "The End." Glad you enjoyed it -- and thanks for the FAV!! Hope all is well with you and Linda. (I'm posting poetry slower nowadays since I'm enmeshed in prose writes for my upcoming second book. I completed a novella in March.) I will be sure to stay in touch with you for sure. I believe in October, several of us, as Libras, all have our mutual birthdays occurring around the same time. (See ... I remembered!!) Best Wishes Always, Gary
Date: 7/8/2016 9:12:00 AM
WoW! Gary, you have penned a well written write. These are some powerful lyrics.You took the reader on a journey and let us hear the thoughts of a dead man who was about to transition. Who was leaving this earth realm to go to a heavenly realm.Excellent job! A without a doubt seven:-) Alexis
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Alexis Y.
Date: 7/9/2016 3:02:00 PM
Hi Gary, I can't wait. I look forward to reading your excellent writes:-) Alexis
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Gary Bateman
Date: 7/8/2016 10:28:00 AM
Thank Alexis for your most gracious comments here. I'm very glad you liked this particular Lyric. I'm planning to write more of these in the future. Stuff dealing with the ethereal world is always compelling to write about. Best Always, Gary
Date: 7/8/2016 8:15:00 AM
Wow. Wish I could accompany you further -- but, as a guest/visitor only! ;-)
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Gary Bateman
Date: 7/8/2016 9:08:00 AM
Hi Tom, Thanks for your read and comment on this ethereal piece of mine. This write, of course, is a poetic view of this transformative process which each of us is supposed to experience at our respective "End." Of course, this depends on one's particular religious views. One way or another, all of us are destined to leave our individual mortal coil. Cheers and Best Wishes, Gary
Date: 6/27/2016 4:57:00 PM
This is a Very Powerful & Spiritual write for me. A (7) for me and a FAV. Even though it deserves a 10. I love and appreciate this poem. I have been studying the transformation of the wounded healer, Charon for some time now. Congratulations with Poem of the Day on this one. God Bless Sharon : )
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Gary Bateman
Date: 6/27/2016 5:21:00 PM
Thanks Sharon so much here for your very kind words and the wonderful ratings!! I too enjoyed doing this poem very much. Some thought was invested into this one!! I wrote another Lyric similar to this one and similarly inspired by Sylvia Path's, "The Edge." It's entitled, "The Unknown." I believe I posted it back on April 17th. It has similar transformation and metaphysical overtones concerning death and the spiritual world beyond. Continued Best Wishes!! Gary
Date: 6/18/2016 8:16:00 AM
Congratulations pal on an excellent piece of writing and poem of the day well deserved passing you both a warm smile in blessing
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Gary Bateman
Date: 6/19/2016 12:13:00 PM
Thanks Liam Mate!! Cheers, Gary
Date: 6/15/2016 8:46:00 PM
I enjoyed this write from the aspect of no longer being here but your last stanza of "a gentle tug into God's eternal light" is a stanza to remember! Your Faith comes through quite strongly in this! Write On Sir!
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Gary Bateman
Date: 6/17/2016 8:35:00 AM
Hello Walter, Thanks so much for your kind words here. I'm pleased that you found the words you cited from the last stanza to be of great interest to you!! I believe that in the end, it pays for all of us to face the progression of our individual lives toward the eventual end with faith, hope, and genuine optimism. Each of us has the chance to make a positive difference in this mortal world. All good things help to prepare our soul for the final journey. Best Wishes Always, Gary
Date: 6/15/2016 3:28:00 PM
Hi Gary, it is great to read from you again. This is an excellent write once more. Your words lift the hearts of your readers, as always you lead us to the heart of your theme with such gentle ease, your words kissing the Soul. I know one day i shall welcome the great adventure to come. This has to be a seven and a fave Gary. Congratulations also on poem of the day, it is much deserved. I shall be on the final version of Evil soon....Mike.
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Gary Bateman
Date: 6/15/2016 4:05:00 PM
Hello Mike, Thanks my dear friend as always for your most wonderful comments and support. And for the seven/fav!! I'm intermittently writing and posting poetry as I can in-between my ongoing prose-write work for my second book. I finished another short story and I'm focused now on flash-fiction writes. The novella is finished -- as you already know. Like you, I shall also welcome the great adventure to come. Our presence on this Earth as mortals is meant to be finite. I will keep writing, however, I hope, to the very end. Let me now what you think about the novella later. Spill Ink!! Take Care!! Gary
Date: 6/15/2016 2:30:00 PM
- Congratulations on your p.o.t.d. Gary :) - hugs // Anne-Lise :)
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Gary Bateman
Date: 6/15/2016 3:52:00 PM
Thanks Dear Anne-Lise!! I just found out about the POTD honor here this late PM. I'm very pleased you enjoyed this poem. Continued best wishes from Ingrid and me!! Gary
Date: 6/15/2016 1:28:00 PM
Hi Gary: A great comment on the afterlife! I loved your poem.
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Gary Bateman
Date: 6/15/2016 3:50:00 PM
Thanks so much Ralph. Great hearing from you. I did put some thought in on this one. Writes like this dealing with the metaphysical aspects of afterlife are both fascinating and challenging. At the end of the day, I'm optimist about the afterlife. Best Always, Gary
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