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The Last Day

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The Last Day

Daniel Henry Rodgers

We're starting off the month of October, which has always been a favorite month. Autumn leaves, cooler air, seasonal poems, Halloween... The Last Day.

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Gene stood. Skyscraper demanding. Cold steel. Thirty-five hard years. Over now. Just like that. Corrugated box. Family photo. Timex watch. Bitter coffee. Stale sweat. He walked out. Sun blaze. Fireball. Air thick. Sidewalk. Familiar corner. Man there. Black skin. Weathered face. Cardboard sign. Gene stopped. Eyes met. Silent understanding. "Seen you," the man said. Gene nodded. "Fifteen and a half years." "Never spoke." "No. Never did." Gene sat. Concrete cracked. Chill. Hands trembling. "Lost everything," he said, eyes downcast. Shame heavy. Guilt girded. The man waited. Silent. Eyes knowing. "Wife. Cancer. Kids ghosted. Job now too." Gene's voice cracked. "Wasted. Empty. Life." The man reached down. Pulled out a bottle. "Drink?" he asked. Gene nodded. Took it. Swigged deep. Bourbon burned. Good burn. Real. "First honest thing. In years." They sat. Shadows lengthened. City hummed. Bottle passed. Back. Forth. No words. Gene breathed. First time in years. Bygone dreams. Flickered. Misty. Husband. Father. Provider. Lost Purpose. Night fell. Stars peeked. Traffic thinned. Gene stood. Legs unsteady. Mind unclear "Thanks," he said, The man nodded. "Tomorrow comes" – Gene stared out. Horizon blurred. “That was yesterday.” Street light flickered. Old worn dress shoes. A sound. Empty bottle. Spinning. Parting gift. Timex. Ticking...

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I Am Anaya

Date: 10/25/2024 1:38:00 PM

Omitting verbs, syntax, such which form larger sentences is an interesting idea. It makes for a quick read...to the point! Unfortunately, big cities have the luxury and not. You've described the homeless 'syndrome' Daniel. I've experimented with my emotions and daily encounters with the same ones at every stop I make. Give, ignore, spread cheer, avoid, etc., for years now. 90% are White-weathered skin in my neck of the woods. Creative storytelling!

Daniel Henry Rodgers
Date: 10/27/2024 6:29:00 AM

Dear Anaya, I wanted to take an approach to a life that had very little meaning and purpose and, therefore, ended up losing all relationships and direction. I work in Philadelphia, and I see everyday homeless who are asking for money or passed out on the street. It is so sad that the problem is not being addressed or fixed. Sometimes, I give them some change or offer them to order from Dunkin Donuts. I pray that there will be an acceptable solution. Thanks for being a wonderful friend! Autumn Blessings, My Dear Friend, Daniel

Valsa George

Date: 10/12/2024 8:01:00 PM

Hi dear Daniel, your poem powerfully depicts the story of a man, defeated and lost somewhere in life, his silent sighs and heart aches.... all joined together where friendship comes as whiff of gentle breeze. Much is expressed through silence when words take backstage. This silent conversation of the man who once flourished, but now has lost everything is so very moving and is pregnant with meaning and communicates powerfully like a documentary. The fragmented and splintered style adds greater depth to your poem. Daniel, as always you come up with unique styles which make your poems stand out. Enjoyed reading this much , dear friend.

Daniel Henry Rodgers
Date: 10/14/2024 11:11:00 AM

Dear Valsa, I am always grateful and appreciative to see your visits and detailed comments. I have been experimenting with form, and this one just came to me to be more choppy, almost to the point of having nothing to say. Autumn Blessings, My Dear Friend, Daniel

Jim Slaughter

Date: 10/12/2024 9:36:00 AM

A fascinating read, Daniel. Very moving.

Daniel Henry Rodgers
Date: 10/14/2024 11:09:00 AM

Hello Jim, Thank you for stopping by and leaving a note. Autumn Blessings, My Friend, Daniel

Heidi Sands

Date: 10/11/2024 4:27:00 PM

I agree , this is a very powerful poem. I can feel this, as I am reading it. Well written :)

Daniel Henry Rodgers
Date: 10/14/2024 11:08:00 AM

Dear Heidi, Working in Philadelphia and seeing the same homeless people always touches my spirit, but there is not much I can do to ease their pain, and I say hello to them regularly. One day, when I retire, I do not want to feel like this poem expresses. My hope is that I have a purpose and that I helped someone along the way. Autumn Blessings, My Dear Friend, Daniel

Maria Williams

Date: 10/8/2024 10:18:00 PM

This is such a powerful poem, Dear Daniel, where images pop up as your imaginative words unfold. I guess it is not imagination as I too have noticed as no doubt you see it every day, of homeless people who were successful in the past and have lost everything with no way to turn - disillusionment, loss and emptiness is all that is left. thanks for sharing - Hugs Maria

Daniel Henry Rodgers
Date: 10/9/2024 7:49:00 AM

Dear Maria, Working in Philadelphia for many years has shown many things, from homelessness, drug addiction, crime, road rage, etc... I pray for answers because it is truly unfixable the way things are going. Thank You! Autumn Blessings, My Dear Friend, Daniel

Kelli White

Date: 10/8/2024 12:13:00 PM

What an incredible write. So many people are feeling this way today. God bless you, Kelli

Daniel Henry Rodgers
Date: 10/9/2024 7:47:00 AM

Dear Kelli, thank you for your gracious comments. It is always a joy to see. Autumn Blessings, My Dear Friend, Daniel

Sotto Poet

Date: 10/5/2024 1:06:00 PM

Such an outstanding poem explores themes of loss, disillusionment, and the search for connection in the face of personal tragedy. It reflects on the struggles of a man named Gene, who, after a long career, finds himself alone and grappling with the weight of his past. Enjoyed reading this. Sending you light vibes.

Daniel Henry Rodgers
Date: 10/7/2024 8:20:00 AM

Hello, Sotto, So inspiring to see your comments this morning, and I am very grateful for your insights. Autumn Blessings, My Friend, Daniel

Ink Empress

Date: 10/5/2024 3:03:00 AM

Dear Daniel, You always write in so many different ways and this is also a very poignant poem woven in such a creative manner! I especially love the lines “ Night fell. Stars peeked. Traffic thinned. Gene stood. Legs unsteady. Mind unclear "Thanks," he said, The man nodded. "Tomorrow comes" –“ theres something so very deep in those lines and the way youv also done showing through words is so very impressive and gives a more soulful touch to your poem! Sometimes in silence we share an understanding that words truly wont be able to express! The depth of this poem truly is so soul hitting and would make any reader feel so much! I always find poems written on the theme “ time” as evocative and resonating for whatever reason it surely makes readers feel alot! Clever and powerful write this is! Pleasure reading! Sending you light always. A fave once again

Daniel Henry Rodgers
Date: 10/7/2024 8:19:00 AM

Dearest Empress, Thank you for your most appreciative words. I like to push the postmodern boundaries to see if a poem can be more effective when written in a different style. This particular one just reeked of the short, choppy approach to bringing the soul of the men to bear. As counselors, we sometimes believe there can be no silence in the session, but over the years, I have recognized when silence is most needed. I genuinely love your visits and your thoughts to my poems. Autumn Blessings, My Dear Empress, Daniel

Yolanda Nicholsen

Date: 10/4/2024 10:15:00 PM

This is an awesome piece Daniel adored reading your work as always this one captures the essence of reality shock waves memories crafted humility such a humble find my mind focused on the hymn and I will raise you up on the last day beautiful many blessings

Daniel Henry Rodgers
Date: 10/7/2024 8:14:00 AM

Dear Yolanda, I am so grateful for your visit, and yes, we wait for our Lord to return one day. Working in Philadelphia, I see it almost everyday. Autumn Blessings, My Dear Friend, Daniel

Mystic Rose Rose

Date: 10/4/2024 5:50:00 PM

A mosaic of patch up memories that create a full image of the experience you speak of Daniel. So heart felt, and so much sorrow bottled in, one can only imagine what he felt, at that very moment :(

Daniel Henry Rodgers
Date: 10/7/2024 8:22:00 AM

Dear Rose, I am always grateful to see your comments and thoughts. It is deplorable to see so many people in Philadelphia who are sad, downtrodden, high, drunk, etc... There does not seem to be much hope for them except our prayers for their lives. Autumn Blessings, My Dear Friend, Daniel

Sara Kendrick

Date: 10/4/2024 9:17:00 AM

I'm impressed at the approach to this one. So many people get down on their luck which is so sad. Thanks for sharing this one with us. I can feel the emotion and pain. Sara K

Sara Kendrick
Date: 10/7/2024 9:29:00 AM

I wonder what one thing we could do to make life better for them? Sara K

Daniel Henry Rodgers
Date: 10/7/2024 8:13:00 AM

Dear Sara, I appreciate your kind comments. When I lived in the countryside, I did not see this too much, and mostly, these things happened behind closed doors. Now, I see it almost every day in the city of Philadelphia. I Pray for Them! Autumn Blessings, My Dear Friend, Daniel

Kim Rodrigues

Date: 10/4/2024 9:04:00 AM

Absolutely love how you wrote this. The quick stops. The conversation meaningful in short sentences. The man passed over for years brought solace to this now defeated man. To what purpose we don’t know. Fantastic write, Daniel! A fave for me.

Daniel Henry Rodgers
Date: 10/7/2024 8:10:00 AM

Dear Kim, thank you for your wonderful insights. Being a counselor and working in Philadelphia, I see it almost every day. It is sad, and yet I know that God is the answer for many. Autumn Blessings, My Dear Friend, Daniel

Joseph May

Date: 10/4/2024 7:33:00 AM

A poignant write Daniel, sometimes when we lose all we drown our sorrows in liquor Such is the pain and despair felt at those times

Daniel Henry Rodgers
Date: 10/7/2024 8:08:00 AM

Hello Joe, Thank you for your comments. Being a D&A and MH counselor, I see quite frequently that they find themselves without purpose, and the bottle is perceived as their solution. Even many of the homeless here in Philly drink, smoke pot, smoke crack, and meth. It becomes the never ending cycle. Autumn Blessings, My Friend, Daniel

Victor Buhagiar

Date: 10/2/2024 9:30:00 AM

Loved your style. Sharp and to the point.

Daniel Henry Rodgers
Date: 10/4/2024 8:01:00 AM

Dear Victor, Thanks for your comments on my experimental poem. I tried to show the structure of two men who are different yet the same. Autumn Blessings, My Dear Friend, Daniel

Hilda Greenhough

Date: 10/1/2024 3:17:00 PM

Down on luck poem brings two people into focus as they strive to survive. It leaves me worried for them.

Daniel Henry Rodgers
Date: 10/4/2024 7:59:00 AM

Dear Hilda, thank you for your comments, it is unfortunate that so many fall into either category or perhaps both categories. Autumn Blessings, My Dear Friend, Daniel

Darlene De Beaulieu

Date: 10/1/2024 3:01:00 PM

Hello Daniel, Two men facing the same fate, is so sad. This happens everywhere. There many people out of work It always happen just as the Christmas season begins people lose their jobs. Blessings my friend. /Darlene/

Darlene De Beaulieu
Date: 10/4/2024 10:12:00 AM

Hello Daniel, Yes they are different and the same. Thank you for the lovely comment. People do lose their jobs becausa of cut baks. My frkiendenjoy your day. /Darlene/

Daniel Henry Rodgers
Date: 10/4/2024 7:58:00 AM

Dear Darlene, I am grateful for your comments and insights. A life that is spent in work where the only value is that work loses all purpose whenever that work ends. Yes the two men are didactically different and the same. Autumn Blessings, My Dear Friend, Daniel

Paula Goldsmith

Date: 10/1/2024 10:21:00 AM

WOW!!! What a write/story you have here. Great Ending... Have a blessed day writing away...............

Daniel Henry Rodgers
Date: 10/4/2024 7:57:00 AM

Dear Paula, Thank you so much for your words, which I appreciate very much. Autumn Blessings, My Dear Friend, Daniel

Deb M

Date: 10/1/2024 6:40:00 AM

WOW Daniel what an amazing write and very different for you!! I really felt this poem.....the two characters, their connection and the realness of the encounter! And yes l understood this one haha!! Loved it.....Debx

Daniel Henry Rodgers
Date: 10/4/2024 7:56:00 AM

Dear Deb, Thank you for your wonderful comments. This is different and maybe a little more experimental in the sense I wanted to show the shortness where every period is a tick of the watch. I also wanted to display a life that was so structured they never found the true meaning in life. Thank you for your visit! Autumn Blessings, My Dear Friend, Daniel

Hiya Sharma

Date: 10/1/2024 5:39:00 AM

What a deeply poignant and soul-stirring piece this is! And I really admire the way you've written this is an artistic, crisp manner wherein lines deliver just the intended depth, nothing more, nothing less...while being so impactful ~ it's truly ironic how everything just fades as moments slip by yet the ticking of time continues..sometimes we often lose ourselves through the course of changing seasons. You've brilliantly portrayed that here & given an impeccable ending where he at last breathed out his grief... loved reading this. Sending you light & best wishes always.

Daniel Henry Rodgers
Date: 10/4/2024 7:54:00 AM

Dear Hiya, I am thankful you are back in the saddle and writing again. Thank you so much for your insights into my poem dealing with an end-of-career individual who missed the value in life and, yes, as his days ticked away one second at a time. - Autumn Blessings, My Dear Friend, Daniel

Clive Culverhouse

Date: 10/1/2024 5:27:00 AM

A powerful write in an interesting no nonsense style, to the point but with enough to allow the reader to work, quite enjoyed, good write, Daniel

Daniel Henry Rodgers
Date: 10/4/2024 7:52:00 AM

Hello Clive, I have been on vacation, so I am a little late in responding. Thank you for your words. I tried to make this more concise, pointing toward the workaholic who failed to find what life is truly about. Thanks! Autumn Blessings, My Friend, Daniel