Last person standing..

Rewritten.(This is the way the world ends Not with a bang but a whimper. —T.S. Eliot)

Last person standing

A Poem by Coyote Poetry

 Not a happy epic prose poem. A poem to create logic and questions my friend. When leaders speak of Nuclear war. They must be foolish or they have a death wish for our world. 

                               Last person standing..

(This is the way the world ends Not with a bang but a whimper. "T.S. Eliot)

I had a bad dream. A realistic dream.
I was the last person standing.
No-one won the final battle. Nuclear weapons departed from every continent.
The lucky people died instantly. Us left had to make the decision. The pills or die badly.

Like in the story “On the beach” by Nevil Shute. A few places lived though the dropping of the nuclear
weapons. The un-lucky few out of the 40 mile kill zones waiting for death. A deadly illness came to you.
Slowly tearing your inside out and the bad death. The surviving leaders decided to give the option beside a shot-gun or pistol. They offered the pills. On the box written.

“Recommend to take when the pain is too strong. Recommend take the pills when you have physical strength still. God bless the USA, God bless the people left.   Signed Medical county executive.”

No-one had won. The Jews scream and cries to the end. The chosen people died first, than the nuclear weapons left France, the USA and Russia. Then India led the rest of the world. The Middle East was done quickly. Israel shot weapons at friend and enemies. No-one knows why? Mass confusion left the world in chaos. Few places were not touched. After the nuclear weapons killed off the great cities. The complete world went to silence.

The people left asked questions. There were no leader left to questions. I sat alone with the pills box in hand. I have been doing the rosemary tea and taking the vitamins for days now. I went to the un-locked CVS and took what I thought would extend my life. My family took the pills and now they laid in a final sleep in the back bedroom of my home. I put friends and neighbors to their beds. The smell of death was in the air and  I was left to write the final words.

                     The final words..

No-one had won the final battle. I wonder if the few acres of land and oil was worth the death of mankind?
The Jews stood their ground. Now just like all races. Back to earth our rotting body will go. The Arab world hope their oil and God would save them. God, Buddha or Allah did not save anyone. The human race create a way for mass killing. Odd part was. All these countries with nuclear, bio and chemical warfare and no-one would believe some fool would start the final war. The media went dead six months ago. The first attack led a fury of nuclear weapons to be shot to all continents. Rumors had it. Places like France and Israel had systems in place. Went to automatic release of the weapons. Most of us who survived believed the world went mad. Nuclear and Bio weapons kill without care for race, color or religion. Rich men and poor men died.  I wonder do the Jews believe they won? I wonder do the Arabic countries believe they won some kind of victory? The scary part is. The great powers. Russia, USA, Great Britain, France and India shot at ghosts and murdered the world.

Where I stand. Nature is still okay. Us human were affected by the radiation and the poison in the air. At first we thought the final survivors. We could rebuilt the world and make it better. We gathered and had great dreams. We gather together create small villages of people. We tested the food. It was still okay. Some people, mainly ex-military lived even being in the 40 mile kill zone. I was a Soldier once. I knew nuclear weapon have three kill zones. The first 40 miles is instant. The second 40 mile was slow and bad death and the next 40 mile is slower and more painful death. I did not tell them, the survivors. I did find someone in the medical field who was left. He understand and he decided to make the pill a option. The pills were not offered till the people got sick. It was a bad sickness. First stomach pain, than the body weaken and the mind became confused. I have given the pills to many. I would lay them in their bed. Hold their hand and try to make them laugh. The last people died not with tears. We knew it was too late for tears. My last family member I laid down was my daughter in her old room.  We cried together and prayed. I wanted death then, but I was the last level headed left. Many people were still left. Many were just children who needed my help and guidance.

Today I’m alone. I drove my car 100 miles in four directions. I saw no movement of any life. I did see some damaged on the outskirts of Detroit. Detroit was took out first with all the major cities.  I listen to my radio and there is only silence. The sickness I could feel now. I knew I couldn’t explore and see if anyone had survived. I had the pills in my pocket and I knew. I had a few days left. I went home and said goodbye to my resting family. They died without knowing too much pain. The pills was fair. Took you to a restful and final sleep gently.  I decided to go to my ancestor’s place to die. I drove to Port Austin, Michigan and I went to the Lake Huron. I prayed, burned some sage and I would die with the great forest near. I arrived barely. My back and legs were gone. I drove my truck deep into the Ojibwa forest. I slowly walked to the Lake Huron. I sat near the water and tossed the cold water on my face. It awoke me completely for a second. I lite the sage and I whispered a prayers.

 “God of life and death, God of the great forest and water. Forgive us for what we done. Man reached his goals. He killed off what is beautiful and sacred. Please take me to my my Grandmother, my Grandfather, my father, my wife, my grandchildren and my children at the big Pow wow in the sky. For us who loved the land and the children, please accept a tire man a place to rest.”

 I placed my Circle of life near me. I put my dream catcher on my neck and asked the trees and the sky. Why did hate and greed control the world? Who won? There is no Israel, no Middle East. The land of Africa, the America and Europe is silence now. I hope the men who wanted war over peace have a place to feel the heat of their hate and violence. I meditate and I found faces of my laughing grandchildren. I put the pills into my mouth. I felt the drugs slowly making me rest and know peace. I loved the view of the Lake Huron. Funny, I swear I heard my Grandchildren yelling to me. Over here Grandpa. We have been waiting for you. I touch the nearby tree and fell into my final sleep.

                      End

This is fiction. The book of Nevil Shute wrote of a different world and weapon. Our new weapons, bio and nuclear can do more damaged than the time of Nevil. This was a dream. If we don’t get along. Whole world will know my bad dream. Israel, Arab world and everywhere must stop the violence. One foolish country can do us all end. This is one planet and one people. I believe we all need to be scared. Want scary. Read the policy of nuclear weapons of France and the USA. Heal, not kill. Pray and demand peace for the children. All children.

                           Coyote/John Castellenas

Author's Note

Thank you for reading.

Reviews

[keith]

it appears i am a 'buzz' kill to this write
my comment has brought a halt to comments from other readers
as much as i enjoy reading and commenting i will refrain from the latter

know i will continue to read such but will not comment any longer
i apologize for this disconnect simply because my views are perhaps 'too radical point blank honest'

[Coyote Poetry]

I don't mind the comment. I appreciate them Keith.

[keith]

the real 'big bang' is here, actually been here since ww2
the meek will inherit nothing
prayers are begging that will not and do not save anyone or anything
i am atheist and walk the world same as you
i am a survivor of more than 30 months in the jungles of southeast asia
i did not pray then i do not pray now
i survived because i am better at killing ... period

but then i am a warrior always ready to defend
always ready to strike
my blood runs cold
my emotions lie empty

i have had a hard cruel sometimes happy life
everyday is gravy ... i do not ask for extra helpings

bending over and tucking your head between your legs will do nothing to save you
should either side decide to push the button there is nothing you can do!

it is a s****y world we inhabit now ... all of our own making
perhaps it is time to let the cockroaches be in charge

best to ya pal ... stay vigilant

[Coyote Poetry]

I was a soldier also Keith. I don't want my grandchildren to inherit my mess. I ain't afraid of death. Death will find us. Last man standing, like in the Nevil Shute novel last pages. "On the beach."
The officer of the submarine gave the pills to his baby and his wife. Held them till they die. He went to his chair. Some whiskey first and he took the pills. It would be hell to be the last man living. Believer in God or not. Thank you for reading. Death ain't sweet. I watched friends die and they wanted more life.

[keith]

we have talked about our military service
i dont wish war on anyone
there are no survivors
i might be a survivor but i am dead inside
sure i write emotional poems but thats all they are words on paper
aint that what poets/writers/authors do
write so the reader has an attachment to the words presented

not sure what i would do if i was the last man standing
how would i know? nobody to tell me
and i dont play volleyball

i suppose i would start drinking again
there would have to be at least 1 bottle of beer or liquor somewhere

george thorogood song in my head ...
i drink alone all by my self

peace to ya brother hoping we never find the answer

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you Keith. I believe. The world is free-falling. Maybe men will extinct himself?

[softlyfall]

It could happen, that is the terrifying reality. You are powerless against it in reality, other than the right to vote. Politicians lie for a living so essentially we are giving weapons of mass destruction to liars. Or, that is how i fear it might be.
The only defense is spiritual. To enjoy this very moment as if it were the last, because it may be.

[Coyote Poetry]

I agree dear poet. We can't worry about the leaders. They are pay-offed men who have no concern for the poor. Thank you for reading and the comment.

[Dave Brown]

As Betty says, it is a nightmare
We are located directly between USSR & USA
If it happens. I hope its a quicky.
Stock up on whisky

[Coyote Poetry]

I live 12 miles from Detroit. One of the first targets. May need to stock-up on the whiskey. Thank you Dave for reading and the comment.

[Ken e Bujold]

a powerful dream John. One which all sensible people should share and fear. In the end I too fear mankind's ultimate end will come from our own hubris, the insane notion that a fiction is on our side and therefore whatever hell we unleash will be rewarded by a seat in mythical heaven. In the end all we can do is speak to the truth and live our lives as best as possible in the shadows of the murderous few

[Coyote Poetry]

Nevil Shute book told us "On the beach." The nuclear
death will be slow and terrible. Ken, it is hard to grasp a world leader threating Nuclear war. They do. Thank you for reading and the comment.

[Ken e Bujold]

I remember Shute's book well. Even more I remember Golding's Lord of the Flies, and its harrowing account of how easily the veneer of civilization breaks down. And of a more recent vintage The Palace of Dreams by Ismail Kadare which shows how society can sleepwalk itself into madness

[Coyote Poetry]

Nevil Shute, one of the great writer. "A town like Alice" and "on the beach." Was motivation to write.

[Ken e Bujold]

for me it was canadian poet Irving Layton, in particular his poem The Bull Calf

[Coyote Poetry]

I will research him Ken. I am always looking for someone to read.

[Ken e Bujold]

layton was a canadian icon. an friend and early influence on Cohen and most other emerging poets that came out of the 50s through early 70s in canada, and the world for that matter. You should indeed read him John, I believe you will find him a great treat

[Soren]

Coyote this was quite a dream. It is an echo of many who fear such an end. Hate and vengeance are two primitive leftovers from the human evolutionary past. Maybe someday we will evolve beyond them, if we survive long enough.

[Coyote Poetry]

I hope Soren. In my lifetime. I saw terrible things. I saw what men can do. Thank you for reading and the comment.

[Lydia Shutter]

A nightmare that is all too real. There is so much anger and hate in this world and it seems to have gotten worse since the pandemic. Leaders of the world MUST come to some accord. We need peace or no one will be left. Very well written, John. Lydi***

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you dear Lydia for reading and the comment. I pray for peace. Maybe my grandchildren can know one day of peace in our world.

[Betty Hermelee]

It was a dream, but also a nightmare.... with endless death and destruction.... why? nobody really knows, except you speak of hate, people hating other people; countries hating others, Why? All we know is that hate triggers weapons, death, and in this case nuclear weapons from which you die immediately or you suffer a painful life.... wishing you were dead; stealing pills to end your miserable life... You dig in very deep with war and extinction, even with your own family because you do not want them to suffer the consequences of a senseless battle. Nice write John.
Best, B

[Coyote Poetry]

In the book the Nevil Shute. They create the pill because. You couldn't stop the death from radiation. Today would be the same. Would come a point where you suffer so badly. The pills would be needed. I went to the CVS to gather medicine to try extend life. Radiation, no cure. The government would offer the pills. A mercy death. This policy is written dear Betty. The last man standing was dying. He found his place to die. Thank you for reading and the comment.

[Betty Hermelee]

You're very welcome John and a special thanks for the explanation!
Best, B

[Coyote Poetry]

Once when I was a soldier. We will deployed to Africa. We went to a dead city. Somebody used chemical warfare. Poisoned the water. Everyone was dead. My unit had to go house to house. We digs large pits and we bury the dead, burn them. Our world dear Betty is scary. I went to Bosnian also. We would pick up dead bodies of old people, women and children. If we don't stop the hate and separation. We are walking to a bad place. Nevil Shute story warned us and no-one pay attention. The movies are very good too. "On the beach."