The Final Sentence

The final sentence that I wrote –
Ragged words I could not speak – 
And so the sentence for me spoke 
The letters written on the sheet –

The words I wrote but could not speak
Read my sentence back to me
Like shards of glass in bas relief
Spoken there for me to hear –

It read my sentence word for word
I dared not breathe – I could not speak –
‘Twas worse than I had ever heard
The words I’d written on the sheet

And though I wrote what now I heard
– The sentence and the words it spoke –
I could not take it at its word –
I took the sentence that I wrote

And dashed it on the rocks! The words,
The letters, fell – the sentence broke
And as it broke my spirit stirred
And something pure – in me – awoke –
Copyright © | Year Posted 2025

Poem

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Radice Avatar
March 11, 2025 at 12:45 AM
Great poem John. Excellent rhyming, cadence, flow and meaning. Where are all the comments a poem such as this deserves? Cheers - Gary
Oldham Avatar
March 15, 2025 at 5:23 AM
Thanks, Gary! Appreciate your comments. I do strive for flow in my poems, and meaning. Best -
Hind Avatar
February 23, 2025 at 8:18 PM
I really really enjoy your writing. The flow keeps me word for word :)
Oldham Avatar
February 26, 2025 at 5:47 PM
Thanks, Paige - Be well!
Get a Premium Membership
Turn off ads, get more exposure for your poetry, and get more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Diverse Voices: The Poetry of Human Rights and the Pursuit of Peace