The Final Voyage

Whenever my thoughts turn toward death,
and whatever follows my final moment,
the image comes of one last voyage —
packing a suitcase filled with memories,
gathering the joyful times with those I have loved,
just the happiest moments filling the bag,
leaving space to tuck in some mementos,
the laughter and tears spent with friends.

I’ll need extra bags for the little things:
sunlight fracturing across open water,
the chatter of birds on a summer day,
spotting a wildflower on a hike through woods,
the powerful crash of an ocean wave,
the soft melody of water in a stream,
the bright greens of buds in spring.

If added years allow for extra bags,
then perhaps I’ll pack another
for art that stopped me in my tracks,
for music that made my heart beat fast,
literature that grew my mind
and engineering feats that blew it…
the bags keep adding up.

There is no packing for death,
no preparations to make things ready.

I am the luggage.




Poetry by Melinda K Zarate The PoetBay support member heart!
Read 147 times
Written on 2026-06-21 at 17:32

Tags Death  Memories 

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Kee Zealy The PoetBay support member heart!
I have read this several times now. Each time it brings a few tears, because I know the subject well. This journey is always a mystery, because none of us knows the true end story. At this point in life it is a increasing sense of urgency to bring all points of potential conflict for whom we leave behind. I wake up to it everyday myself. It feels sad and mournful, where from my point of view, I see a person who has never given up despite impossible personal tragedy. If there is a piece of luggage to carry, it is just that, surviving and surviving well. Peace of mind, when it is time is the last and most important item to pack.
2026-06-22


Sameen The PoetBay support member heart!
Your endings have gotten better and better. Also what a wonderful meditative poem
2026-06-22


jim The PoetBay support member heart!
This is bittersweetly profound. As Allen said, rich with wisdom, and evidence of a life being well lived.
2026-06-22


Griffonner The PoetBay support member heart!
Wisdom shines through these novel words. Not only are you the luggage, but I think you are the wisdom too. :o) Well written. Blessings, Allen
2026-06-21