A common man marvels at uncommon things. A wise man marvels at the commonplace. CONFUCIUS

Friday 5 December 2014

Dannie Abse

This is a very late tribute to a very great poet — Dannie Abse, who died on September 28 at the age of 91. Do click on this to hear him read his poem Last Words.

And how would I wish to go?
Not as in opera — that would offend —
nor like a blue-eyed cowboy shot and short of words,
but finger-tapping still our private morse, '. . . love you,'
before the last flowers and flies descend.

DANNIE ABSE From Last Words

3 comments:

George said...

What a lovely poem — and what a treat to have it recited by its creator. I'm not familiar with Abse, but I know from this poem and his wonderful voice that I want to explore his work further. Thanks for sharing this.

am said...

Thank you so much for introducing Dannie Abse. This poem and the poet's voice move me. I am in awe of the synchronicity that accompanies learning of this poem today. The words:

... our private morse,' ... love you,'...

I had just been remembering these words that were written to me some years ago:

"Please take all of my love and go on with your life. "

The Solitary Walker said...

Glad you liked this poet, George and Am. I came across him a long time ago, and have been reading him now and then ever since. As well as being a poet, he was also a doctor, a specialist in chest ailments.