Étymos

Étymos Greek, adj.: true, real, sure

To my grandmother

To my grandmother 1939 — 2020

Who of us can know what thoughts and truths arise between the final breath and the letting go?

Will there be stumbling buzz of blue? Will some uncertain brightness blind the eyes? Who of us can know?

Should it matter if I choose to throw at death my dying, raging cries between the final breath and the letting go?

Tell me Donne, instructor of death’s ego, is it true that then our spirits rise? Who of us can know?

Our frantic failings show how great a guise exists between the final breath and the letting go,

And those who stoutly speak as though they knew speak only lies.

And those who stoutly speak as though they knew speak only lies. Who of us could ever surely know

And those who stoutly speak as though they knew speak only lies. Who of us could ever surely know until our final breath —

And those who stoutly speak as though they knew speak only lies. Who of us could ever surely know until our final breath — and our letting go?