In The End

By Katherine Meikle

My mom tells me

everything will be alright in the end.

And if it’s not alright,

it’s not the end.

Recently, 

I’ve been feeling like an asteroid

hurtling at light speed towards an unknown world

most likely in for disaster.

Locked in 

by cosmic forces outside of my control,

I can hear the people screaming immeasurable miles away.

Part of me hopes 

I’ll fizzle out 

before the impact.

How can that be our future?

Surely, there’s something I can do to stop it.

I feel my flaming heart 

flying through the void

seeking atmosphere,

seeking touch,

wishing upon a star for some 

cold comfort.

Trying to veer away 

from oblivion. 

But we’ve discarded our old wisdom,

none of us learned celestial navigation

so we travel blindly through this eternal night. 

A devastation 

of grief behind me 

for all those already extinguished.

For all the horrors I couldn’t help.

The momentum keeps building,

I can’t bear to turn around 

and have a proper look.

But I know it’s there.

Right behind me. 

In the corner of my eye. 

I’m so 

tired.

I’m heavy 

with the dread of doom. It feels so wrong 

to sit and enjoy the bless-ed luxuries of my life,

when the worst that’s ever happened 

is happening 

as we speak. 

But the antidote to darkness is light. 

The antidote to death 

and despair 

is life,

so goddamn it, I am going to live!

I will live in defiance 

of those who would obliterate me.

I will live in honour 

of our brothers and sisters,

taken and tortured,

I am going to live for them.

I will toast for them.

I will sing for them.

And I will laugh with my whole belly

at the jokes they will never get to hear.

Even if I have to fight 

through my own tears.

I will shower my family with love,

I will hold my friends 

in love 

until they tell me to stop because it’s making them uncomfortable.

I will open my heart to love 

wherever it is still blooming on this shattered world.

I will water love.

And we will be alright 

in the end.

By Katherine Meikle