Here’s a poem about the last day of the world.
W. S. Merwin, “Place”
On the last day of the world
I would want to plant a tree
what for
not for the fruit
the tree that bears the fruit
is not the one that was planted
I want the tree that stands
in the earth for the first time
with the sun already
going down
and the water
touching its roots
in the earth full of the dead
and the clouds passing
one by one
over its leaves
And here’s my poem in response:
“On the Last Day of the World”
On the last day of the world
I would want to swallow dirt
what for
not for the dirt
to thank this sweet earth
for the gift and miracle
to bow to my debt
to take this earth into my body
as earth will
at sunset
on the last day of the world
fold me into hers
and the stars appearing
one by one
singing
~Barb Morris, after W. S. Merwin’s “Place”
What would you do on the last day of the world? Feel free to respond in prose form!
photo credit: raphael nogueira on unsplash
On the last day of the world
I will lay down to praise all around
that I can see
And sleep the sleep of joy
Lovely response poem. I think you might enjoy the book Lab Girl which has lots and lots to say about trees and earth and their relationship to each other and to us.
I’ve read Lab Girl and loved it! Thanks for reading, Kake.