a poem by Kurt Vonnegut

April 12th, 2007

Requiem
When the last living thing
has died on account of us,
how poetical it would be
if Earth could say,
in a voice floating up
perhaps
from the floor
of the Grand Canyon,
“It is done.”
People did not like it here.
(from the NY Times article, “Kurt Vonnegut, Writer of Classics of the American Counterculture, Dies at 84″)
RIP mr. vonnegut, you will be greatly missed.

Apr 12 2007
9:40 am

labohemienne writes:

I just read an article this morning about his death. I’m so grateful that such a man lived among us and that he shared his gift with humankind.

Apr 12 2007
11:46 am

Kira writes:

What a wonderful poem. Thanks for sharing; and thanks to Mr. Vonnegut for writing it.

Apr 12 2007
1:01 pm

paintergirl writes:

He will be missed. He had a voice unlike any other, and such a lovely and funny way to put things into perspective.
It’s pouring rain here near the city, and it seems perfect.

Apr 12 2007
2:49 pm

hallaren writes:

Thank you for posting the poem, a fine tribute in words by Mr. Vonnegut.
To me it seems just right that he died in the beginning of spring.
He sparked a lot of beginnings in thought.
Raining here in New Jersey, too.

Apr 12 2007
6:28 pm

helle Jorgensen writes:

Great poem.
Sad to hear of his death.
Loved ‘Cat’s Cradle’

Apr 13 2007
6:00 pm

d.chedwick writes:

Here is one of my favorite Kurt Quotes:
I want to stay as close to the edge as I can without going over. Out on the edge you see all kinds of things you can’t see from the center.
Kurt Vonnegut

Apr 13 2007
9:12 pm

kara writes:

Poignant poem – especially the last line. People need to get outside and enjoy nature. [...before it's to late.]

Apr 14 2007
7:03 pm

patricia writes:

he’s totally cool and was very generous to the arts here on the cape…

Apr 16 2007
9:41 pm

natasha writes:

i haven’t blogged about kurt yet…this poem is really lovely. he is one of my favorites and he really seemed to live life to the fullest. i loved his repeated joke about cigarettes not killing him.

Apr 16 2007
11:29 pm

trAv-is writes:

Even though my Uncle Kurt did not believe in heaven, I hope he is there, right now.
God bless you Uncle Kurt.
I have been influenced, and inspired by Uncle Kurt, more than any other writer.
Except for our heavenly Father, who inspired the words of the Good Book.
amen.

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