Blue, Black, Gone

Summary

The poem "Blue, Black, Gone" reflects on the final moments and thoughts of an individual who has committed suicide.

Abstract

"Blue, Black, Gone" is a poignant poem that paints a vivid picture of a person's last moments before succumbing to suicide. The imagery of a twisted blue face under a streetlight, with a jump rope still tied around the neck, evokes a sense of tragedy and finality. The poem delves into the contrast between the person's vibrant past, as suggested by the scent of coconut conditioner and cigarette smoke in their hair, and their lifeless present. It contemplates the flood of memories that may have rushed through the individual's mind before their death, likening it to a tsunami's overwhelming force. The poem also touches on the possibility of an empty mind, devoid of thought, as death approaches. The physical sensations of the body's struggle against death are described, from the loudness of the heartbeat to the closing of the throat, culminating in the release of the last breath, as quiet as a whispered goodbye.

Opinions

The poem suggests that the act of suicide is a tragic end to a life that once had vibrancy and complexity.
It implies that the moments before death may be filled with a rush of memories or an unsettling emptiness.
The imagery used conveys a stark contrast between life and death, emphasizing

A Poem

The faint glow from the streetlight illuminated his blue, twisted face. The jump rope necklace still clenched around his throat like a backwards necktie. Jet black hair still caught in the knot his strong hands tied. The same hair that once smelled of coconut conditioner and cigarette smoke will fall and decay, unlike the way it once reflected the light.

What went through his mind just before he departed? Perhaps memories flooded back, the way tsunamis sweep over entire cities just before fallback. Perhaps there was nothing, just numbness, darkness. As his body fights the eternal sleep he seeks. Eyes closed to blood shadows. Heart beats grow louder in his ears then fainter in his chest, and his throat closes. Then The last breath like a whisper of a goodbye.