Friday, August 26, 2011

The Last Line is Yours by Penn Kemp



Penn & Jack reading a poem for peace

I dream Jack Layton is sitting up in bed
joyously celebrating his win, beaming,
radiant: his indomitable optimism seeing
him through cancer and out the other side.

I know the game’s over. He understands
what we won’t till we too join him across
that last finishing line. Wherever you are,

Jack, we love you. Thank you for all you
won for us now that you are one with all.

His last line? “And we’ll change the world.”


You can hear Penn being interviewed at Sound Therapy Radio and on CBC's Ontario Morning.

5 comments:

Sho said...

thank you Penn, this arrow shot in to the sun need never fall

hg said...

These tributes to Layton are fabulous. I am sure his spirit is lingering and absorbing all the positive outpourings.

And Penn, I love the way the final line is indeed from the man himself.

Gina Barber said...

Penn, if you are at the tv viewing at the Aeolian Hall on Saturday, I hope you will read your poems. If not, I have lined up others to do so. Thank you, dear friend.

Janice Williamson said...

Thank you Penn, for your poems, your very "hip" poem and your farewell. We miss him here there and everywhere...

Franci Louann said...

I love ALSO the rare form of this poem, the discipline, the minimalization as you go...
as he goes...

the positivity...

his inspiration...

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