We are obsessed as a civilization with the end of the world.
The final book in the Bible — The Book of Revelation — is devoted to chronicling a vision of tumultuous days filled with violence, death, and destruction before Jesus Christ returns to reign on Earth. Apocalyptic traditions also became a staple of other ancient cultures outside the Judeo-Christian realm. Ragnarök from Norse mythology serves as a prime example of ancient end times folklore.
Why do we fear the end?
It is as simple as fearing the unknown and abhorring change.
No one possesses certain knowledge for what fate awaits us after we die. Many religions frame death as an entrance into a new life. From reincarnation in Hinduism to resurrection in Mormonism, a belief persists that death is not the end but a new beginning. The promise of a new, better world awaiting us beyond this one inspires hope even as it requires persistent faith to accept.
My latest poem explores the end of the end times.
Words fill an ancient page penned with indelible ink. An omen foretelling doom for a world on the brink. Neither scholar nor sage predict catastrophe at hand. Towering violent waves swallowing an entire land. Nature consumed with rage. Fire and ice rule at the end. Today flees with yesterday Time was never a real friend. Home turns from haven to cage. Streets choke on smoke and ash. Every leader flees and hides, sealed inside bunkers with cash. Civilization turns the page. An entire world swept away. No prayer or plan prevented our night becoming their day.
Did you enjoy this poem? Check out my other poetry in the Strange New Worlds archives.
Straightforward and observant as always John. Love this new poem.
From beginning to end, humanity has a weird obsession with the cycle of life. We constantly look towards the end as we grow, but by the end of our lives, we think a bit about the new life born after us. You're right that we focus a lot on texts that all describe a beginning but mainly a catastrophic end. But I think people forget that our beginnings could also start horribly while our ends can finish peacefully.
I love the line, "Home turns from haven to cage." It speaks to me on some level of what a home can turn into for people. For me, it's depression as a home can sometimes be our cage from properly healing.