My Last Poem

By MICHAEL CATHERWOOD

is quiet and bright along
the edges, is a beast of silence,

grips a wooden cane
where in the daylight it taps

its way among the stones
and puddles. There is no pain:

wind and branches and blue
lakes. The beauty of silence

scrubs clean all doubt, clears
away the brittle leaves
                                   on sidewalks.

 

 

[Purchase Issue 29 here.]

Michael Catherwood‘s books are Dare, If You Turned Around Quickly, Projector, and Near Misses. He’s a former editor at The Backwaters Press. Recent poems appeared in Misfit and As It Ought To Be. He’s a cancer survivor, is retired, and lives in Omaha with his wife, Cindy.

From the beginning, The Common has brought you transportive writing and exciting new voices. We are committed to supporting writers and maintaining free, unrestricted access to our website, but we can’t do it without you. Become an integral part of our global community of readers and writers by donating today. No amount is too small. Thank you!

My Last Poem

Related Posts

top 10 pieces 2025

The Most-Read Pieces of 2025

Browse a list of the ten most-read new pieces of 2025 to get a taste of what left an impact on readers. 2025 was a momentous year for The Common: our fifteenth anniversary, our 30th issue, even a major motion picture based on a story in the magazine.