10 seconds to live
Written for Poppy's prompt
Once before you die
you get one last chance
when you can relive
your life,
your last few minutes
when you close your eyes.
Your soul calms down,
and your heart slows down,
your mind is falling asleep.
It's a final countdown,
or rather a cooldown,
before a completely new starting?
This game is confusing...
10 seconds to live...
I see myself being born...
my parents are crying.
These are tears of joy,
but they don't know nothing
about how I will dissapoint 'em
I don't deserve them...
9 seconds till death...
I'm already a kid
playing around in the garden
with Suzy,
my only and favorite dog.
She passed away
and never returned
to make me smile again.
I was probably ten...
8 seconds to remember...
my teenage years
so memorable.
Yes, we were dumb and spontanious.
We threw parties and got drunk,
after, we drove a cool truck
First love...
sweeter than ever,
like wind chimes
play a song so special.
We travelled a lot,
built sandcastles,
sent postcards to all the family members
We laughed: "That's all that matters!"
7 seconds to regret...
We grew up together
but things got bad
I was left behind
It was just me and I.
Only had my body
not my soul.
I felt empty chasing fun
I could never get back
So I drank
more and more
I wanted alcohol.
It wasn't me anymore,
just a doll...
6 seconds to rethink...
I found myself on the streets.
Sound of sirens
muffled in the distance.
I lost everything...
5 seconds to wait...
It's bitterly cold
I'm still breathing
but it gets harder and harder
to keep going
I don't know
how much time I have left
before I freeze to death.
4 seconds to forgive...
My tears are turning
on my cheeks into ice
It's too late for me...
I realise
that all I feel is weakness and cold.
I'm starving,
haven't eaten for days...
whatever...
It's over for me.
3 seconds for hope...
I slowly close my eyes,
I start to pray in my misery.
It's something I learned years ago
When I was a kid...
We sat at the table
I remember
with mum and dad...
we were grateful for
what we had...
2 seconds to pray...
"Dear God!
I know I'm helpless
I can't fix my life...
Still I'm begging you,
one last time,
please forgive me,
and send someone
who'd look after me.
Someone who'd kneel down
at my grave and say:
"I miss you"
My Lord, I'm hearing you calling
and I won't resist,
not now...
I have nothing to leave behind,
not even a normal life
I take the second chance
you're giving me...
hope it'll never end..."
One last second to say goodbye...
It's time to leave
I'm going home,
towards the sky!
Written for Poppy's February Prompt:
Reader insights
Outstanding
Excellent work. Looking forward to reading more!
Top insights
Compelling and original writing
Creative use of language & vocab
Easy to read and follow
Well-structured & engaging content
Heartfelt and relatable
The story invoked strong personal emotions
On-point and relevant
Writing reflected the title & theme
Excellent storytelling
Original narrative & well developed characters
Eye opening
Niche topic & fresh perspectives
Comments (32)
Very good!! Thank you!❤️😊💕
Oh this was so sad 😔 I kept hoping for a last second reprieve!
This was a powerful read Anna, and I like the way the “seconds to…” word changed with each second. It’s sad and familiar and comforting all at once, and “Only had my body not my soul. I felt empty chasing fun I could never get back” was a like that stuck out to me. Well done!
Wow. I don’t really even know what to say. This was so creative and simultaneously so powerful. You have a gift at evoking emotion. Great job.
Great Work! Life is over so fast. This section really spoke to me: Only had my body not my soul. I felt empty chasing fun I could never get back So I drank more and more
Loved IT!!! ❤️👏🏼😇
Very well done! Congratulations on Top Story!
Powerful, and the construction of this poem is superb. Very well done!
The countdown add a lot of power to this already emotional piece. Really well done.
What a beautiful and striking piece! Really lovely, moving work.
Love this poem, congrats on this top story!
Such a great effect with the countdown, it creates such clarity of thought through the life- the joys, sorrows, regrets, but also the affirmation at the end "I'm going home," Lovely
What an emotional journey you took me on in those last 10 seconds. Congrats on your top story!
Oh no, that's deep. But that's a reality.
Incredible poem.
Wow! I really like how deep this is❤️
It hits hard
Gosh this was so poignant, intense and powerful! Such a brilliant concept you went with here. I loved it! Congratulations on your Top Story! 🎉💖🎊🎉💖🎊
W O W ! and then some more! A fine piece of work! The countdown between your verse was a poem in and of itself! Congrats on the TS!
Oh wow. Fantastic! Congrats on top story.
Congrats!
what a fantastic perspective!
Just wow! Excellent!!
I had to read this one twice, to let it soak in. Damn, this is good!
Anna Terrific work! Keep it going—congratulations!