In the end we meet finality
Where there is no more to come,
It represents totality
The comprehensive sum.
In summ’ry there’s an ending
To a captured set of thoughts,
There’s a possible extending
Depending on reports.
To conclude requires judgement
Giving closure to a theme,
Brings meaning to a segment,
That may unrelated seem.
. In a climax there’s achievement, a moment of reward,
. A peak of high endeavour, a point of much applaud.

© Tim Grace, 27 February 2010

To the reader: In the vast scheme of things our minuscule stop-start segmentation of time must seem a little trite and unnecessary. Periodic pauses, earth hours, pit-stops, forty-winks and memorable moments form a staccato of stuttering events. The End and it’s relationship with finality is not fixed; all endings are not terminal. We use endings to pause the run of play, to catch our breath, before resuming with new vigor and direction.

To the poet: Shakespeare was endlessly concerned with overcoming the injustice of time and reconciling this with a life short lived. His first three groups of sonnets consider options for achieving perpetuity; not eternal life, but eternal meaning is his desired destiny. Putting ‘The End’ in context is a poet’s lot; why am I doing this? In ‘The End’ is there any defense against the futility of a battle with Time?