LOW BATTERY: d’Verse Poetics (Words of Departure)

LOW BATTERY

Pulling himself up slowly on the bed,
Breathing heavily,
He beckoned me over
And whispered to me
So lowly I could barely hear.
“My battery is low and it’s getting dark” son
Perplexed,
I moved in closer
Don’t tell your ma this
But…
I’ve been running on empty for a while now. And the light in my eyes has grown dim
Now there’s no need for those duracell batteries
Or fancy solar light bulbs
And fervent prayers for my recovery
As I’m in no mood for a recharge
I know that it seems a little grim.
However
I’ve no energy
To fight this lethargy
My get up and go
Has got up and went
Don’t let this memory
Be how you measure me
But I’m just spent
And can longer make a dent
In life the way I would like.
Let me go now
Let the light fade
And the battery go out
Let it all go dark
Don’t be afraid
I’ll still be there
In the flickering lights
And random kettle
Switch on’s
Stick us on a cuppa.

Written for Laura’s dVerse Poetics “Words of Departure” I chose the Mars’ Rover ‘Opportunity’ quote from the list below.

….Select ONE phrase from these famous departing words

“All those moments will be lost in time, like tears in rain” -Roy Batty, Blade Runner
“My battery is low and it’s getting dark” – Mars rover ‘Opportunity’
“A certain butterfly is already on the wing.” Vladimir Nabokov
“I must go in for the fog is rising” Emily Dickinson
“Ah! The times were good! It was I who was so unhappy”. Sophie Arnould, French operatic soprano
“My anchor is well cast, and my ship, though weather-beaten, will outride the storm” Samuel Hopkins, theologian
“Go on, get out! Last words are for fools who haven’t said enough.” Karl Marx
Then using your chosen phrase:-

Write a ‘deathbed’ poem of your own imagination (time and place optional!)
It does not have to pertain to the author of your chosen words but can do
You could include backstory, personality, remembrances, other people present
Make it sad, funny, sudden, expected, personal or remote
read Billy Collins’ “Deathbeds” poem – it sets all sorts of scenes

If you’d like to participate in the prompt then you access it through the following link: https://dversepoets.com/2022/06/14/poetics-words-of-departure/