First, the ending (a poem)

Starting tomorrow here in Calgary, the Calgary Spoken Word Festival kicks off for its fourth consecutive year of exciting spoken word programming and learning!

I got inspired by Sheri D. Wilson a couple of years ago when she came to the shelter where I work to share random acts of poetry.

And then I found a video this morning about two poets in Ontario reading poetry to truck drivers on the busy 401 freeway -- I wonder if when cell phone usage from a car becomes illegal in Alberta if that means truckers won't be able to use their CB radios too? Just wondering...

Anway, reading and thinking about poetry this morning inspired me to write a poem. And at the end, I pasted in the video I found of random acts of poetry on the road. -- do you think that's called Word Kill?

First, the ending.
©

Louise Gallagher

I like to read
the ending
first flipping forward
skipping through time
to find that place
where strings are strung
together
threads are woven
together
and everyone lives happy
together ever after.

I like to read
the ending
first
finding that place
where life unfolds
backwards
to a beginning
where disparate threads
dangle
inticingly like cotton
candy swirls trapped
upon a cardboard tube
sharp end up
waiting
for a deft hand
to spin the strands
together
into a cocoon of sugary pink
perfection

Endings are perfect.

I like to read
the ending
first to know
who did it
did he get the girl
forever
did the eagle land
safely
did the ugly duckling
grow beautiful
becoming the swan
who skipped forward
through time avoiding
the pain of learning
how to fly

I like to read
the ending
first
I must live
the moment
to find the beginning
where love grows
into being
you and me, forever.


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And in case there's a glitch, I've also included the link to the video, HERE.