Death Knows Not of Consent
Poem. My 21st Rejection. An unsuccessful submission to The Offing, a literary magazine. With Audio Reading by Paul Stewart.
Death is just a bit too much,
isn't it?
—
Cliché? Overstated? Not the point,
is it?
—
Death weighs heavy on my mind today
as it has done — well — since Covid-19.
Even before that,
there was no escaping it.
—
One of my earliest memories
is of my aunt dying,
then my uncle,
then my grandmother,
then my dear Nonno.
—
It never stops and asks,
"Is it too much?" — does it?
—
It never considers
things like consent.
Things like
the intangible grief
that R.I.P. can cause
when death grips.
—
There was Uncle Giovanni,
and so many others.
—
Between Covid-19 and now,
I have lost many —
so close,
and many more,
not so close.
—
Nonna was the first dagger
to my already wretched heart.
Then came the sword,
twisted around its hilt,
breaking my
rib cage or sternum —
audible crack, unheard,
but in my head,
as loud as the drums,
the chanting,
and
the stomping of the feet.
—
Like so many others —
this grief repeats.
It never ends.
It never asks "Is this okay?"
Then Uncle Claudio
was taken —
ripped from us.
-
Now I’m here —
writing of the fallen,
penning to the living,
finding solace — nowhere,
finding peace — in nothing,
for now.
-
R.I.P. Dad —
a phrase emptied
by repetition.
A platitude
that signifies
everything.
And nothing.
*
Thanks for reading!
Thanks to the encouragement of one Matthew Fromm, I have recorded a reading of this poem for your audible pleasure.
Thanks for listening!
Author's Notes: Back in June, I submitted this piece to The Offing, a literary journal, and today, October 1, I learned it was rejected. They did not offer any explanation, which is fine — that’s often standard. I do wonder, though, if it was perhaps too personal, with too many real-world references. I’m not worried. I stand by the piece and would not change those references; every person, every death, is part of the grief I carry daily.
Receiving rejection is never easy — this piece marks my 21st rejection — but it is part and parcel of the literary world. Submitting to journals, responding to calls, and entering competitions doesn’t stop because of setbacks. I have faith that I will eventually be published outside of Vocal and self-publishing. Until then, and even afterward, I will continue submitting and creating.
I paired this poem with Odilon Redon’s lithograph La Mort – Mon ironie dépasse toutes les autres! (1889) because it perfectly captures Death as uninvited and inevitable, while emphasizing the profound emotional weight of loss.
About the Creator
Paul Stewart
Award-Winning Writer, Poet, Scottish-Italian, Subversive.
The Accidental Poet - Poetry Collection out now!
Streams and Scratches in My Mind coming soon!
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Comments (46)
I'm diving deeper into the community at Vocal and I'm SO glad I did! I really enjoyed this poem. Deeply personal and touching. I just love the way you accentuate those personal lines with phrases like "does it?...isn't it?" For me, those created an echo effect and it made me pause. It's disruptive, like death. Very well done. As for the rejection. I am late to the writing/publishing world, which is probably a good thing. The ego of my youth may not have been able to cope with the rejection. But my edges have softened and somehow, I'm able to accept rejection and losses with an open mind. I have learned from them. Then, I just won an honorable mention. Who would've thought that a $5 prize and a badge would leave old, wise and wizened me dumbstruck? But it did. I rejoiced. I tell you all this in the hope that it can help you find some meaning and learning in rejection and joy in acceptance. Loved the poem and the post script about the rejection. Keep up the great work.
Circling back for a belated congrats on placing first in this week's leaderboard Papa Paul!! 🎉
Love the audio Paul. The bird in the background adds a special tone. Who kows why a piece gets rejected. Belief in yourself is worth more than priase from a stranger.
Relatable, painful and so well articulated, Papa Paul!! Belated congrats on Top Story!!
Excellent writing Paul, very worthy of top story. I think the real-world references enhance it!
Well done, Paul, you hit the jackpot!!!
Wooohooooo congratulations on your Leaderboard placement! 🎉💖🎊🎉💖🎊
This truth should never be "rejected." It's just too real to not get in its face like you did here. Even though most of me is still reeling from the death of my beloved son, I don't want to have to "accept" it. How dare that evil, wicked intruder inflict this pain and snatch him away from me. So glad you wrote this, Paul.
Wow, what a title. Perfectly stages the whole poem, and all of it is written flawlessly. Great emotional weight without feeling cliche or overdone. Heavy without being exaggerated. Nicely done Paul. Sorry for the pain that would cause you to write something like this but I’m glad you could channel it into such an evocative and relatable poem.
Congratulations 🎊 👏
Death doesn't think about how we'll handle it, it just takes. Congrats on Top Story and Leaderboard placement. Well deserved!
Paul, congratulations on your top story and for leading this week's leadership board! Death is personally quite difficult this time of year. Too many anniversaries of people taken too soon. I like your mindset. Rejection is never easy, but it's par for the course as a writer. Keep at it, and you will get there. I honestly believe that. Also, thanks for the inspiration. I've been a bit down lately, but your words and honesty truly help.💜
Huge congrats for well deserved TS Paul. I wonder, are you submitting to just one place at a time? You could try to find maybe four or five (many hardened submitters do more), because it takes so long to receive a response. After a rejection, submit to another mag. Just because one mag rejects, it’s not a judgement of your piece. There will be a home for this poem. Keep trying.
Congratulations on the top story
It’s never something that can be fully off our minds, is it? An incredible piece about the desolate and the terrifying, Paul!
Never easy Paul! And the pain as it feeds leaves a hollow that defies laws of physics. Wretchedness. So... We write about it. Pour out endless pages understood and incomprehensible. Know beyond knowing that the world needs Creatives now more than ever. Thank you for writing and sharing. Keep the fires burning!
The knife-to-sword turn was masterful imagery. I could almost hear that 'audible crack, unheard' in my own head. This isn't just a story of loss; it's a powerful metaphor for profound psychological trauma. It’s a piece that sticks with you. Keep going!
Art very nice ♥️
Art is goodd
The artwork fits the piece brilliantly.
I was happy to see you popping up first in the TS section on the main page! Congratulations, my friend! 🎉🎉 Well earned!
Death is one reality created by God to invite his humans towards him for what they have done in the world The poet was so beautiful thanks for sharing sir
Death does what it is supposed to do-pulverize the heart over and over
This piece captures the raw ache of grief without softening it. The refrain that death never asks permission struck me deeply.
Death never asks for permission Never offers condolence Nor refuge It is cruel and it is kind In the end it is inevitable This was an incredibly powerful poem Paul! Congrats on getting Top Story!