When My Journey Began

When My Journey Began

A poem by Sal Godoij

Because you, my friend

Don't know what happens

When your last journey begins

I paused on the road

To scribble these stanzas

And show you what happened

To me

When my last journey began.

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When my journey began

I knew it would be my last

So, I packed a few memories

Enough to travel light.

I left the house at twilight

When friends and family, in sorrow

Reconvened

For the present, never for the morrow

A farewell, but I was already past

So I exited as fast.

Outside was not night but day

It was bright, so bright it was

As if the day were a mirage

And from this mirage, my mother came

And signalled me the way.

Mother! My scream burst

So ethereal she looked, yet smiling

She, who my early life nurtured

I ran to embrace her, but her image

Dissolved in the mirage.

Heartbroken, tearful, disoriented

I stood there on the street.

I'm dead! I came to realize

I feared death now, as before I feared life

But my mother's presence

As it happened then, when I was a child

Having a bad dream

I felt so strong, when my mother smiled.

After my mother, other people came.

They were all people I knew not

But heard of a lot

My grandparents

I'm well

I am well, they all seemed to communicate

I nodded out of respect

As they showed me the way.

And so

I arrived at the Valley of Death.

At the entrance

Like the lines of a psalm

A sign invited me to keep calm

"Death is a rest, eternity is a glow

If you have lived your best, let your soul flow."

And it was here where I stopped

To scribble these lines

For you

Don't pet your sorrow

Don't live for tomorrow

Don't follow the glow, let your soul flow.

At the end of the day

Life is fair, so why fear

Death, you may fear, but it is fair.

What a powerful and moving poem! I'd be happy to dive into its meanings and symbolism with you.

The poem explores the themes of mortality, grief, and the acceptance of death. The speaker reflects on their journey, which they know will be their last, and shares their experiences and insights with the reader.

The first stanza sets the tone, emphasizing the importance of living in the present and not taking life for granted. The line "I paused on the road / To scribble these stanzas / And show you what happened / To me / When my last journey began" suggests that the speaker has stopped to share their story, which becomes a form of legacy.

The second stanza reveals the speaker's awareness of their impending death, and they prepare by packing "a few memories" – a poignant metaphor for the selective nature of human memory. The image of leaving the house at twilight, when friends and family are gathered, implies a sense of farewell and the speaker's acceptance of their own mortality.

The encounter with the mother is a pivotal moment in the poem. The mother's appearance as a mirage, "so bright it was," symbolizes the speaker's longing for a connection with the past and the comfort of childhood. The dissolve of the mother's image serves as a reminder of the speaker's own mortality and the impermanence of life.

The following stanzas depict the speaker's journey through the "Valley of Death," where they encounter a procession of people from their past. This section can be seen as a form of introspection, where the speaker confronts their own memories and relationships. The repeated message from these figures – "I'm well" – becomes a kind of mantra, emphasizing the idea that even in death, there can be peace and acceptance.

The poem's climax arrives with the sign at the entrance to the Valley of Death, which offers the consoling message: "Death is a rest, eternity is a glow / If you have lived your best, let your soul flow." This stanza serves as a kind of epiphany, where the speaker finds solace in the idea that death can be a release, and that living one's best life is the key to embracing mortality.

Throughout the poem, Godoij uses vivid imagery and symbolism to convey the complexity of human emotions surrounding death. The juxtaposition of light and darkness, the contrast between the sorrow of parting and the peace of acceptance, all contribute to a rich tapestry of meaning.

Overall, the poem urges the reader to live in the present, to cherish memories, and to find courage in the face of mortality. The final lines, "Life is fair, so why fear / Death, you may fear, but it is fair," become a kind of gospel, encouraging the reader to approach life and death with equanimity and acceptance.

What struck you most about this poem? Would you like me to explore any specific aspects further?