Nothing Lasts Forever

Natalie Goldberg’s Writing Down the Bones Deck prompts — In fifteen minutes write down everything you can name that will not last. Go. Keep the pen moving.

Nothing lasts forever. Or does it? Will we ever know? Some say the world doesn’t need humans. I believe that. Then what does the world need? There are stories that talk about when the sun, and moon, and the stars were visible to the earth. When other planets were seen how life was to not exist on these other planets. Just mindless typing is a part of this exercise, as who really knows? In my lifetime, what will go? I have no idea about anything except myself. I will not live into my 100s. I know that for sure. I am okay with that. Really. My wishes and hopes are more for my children and grandchildren today. For future generations. I will do my best for them that I can while still here, but it doesn’t matter what I do or don’t do, the world will keep changing. “The times they are a-changin'.”

I have a snoot full today and need to take an occasional break to let that go. I won’t have to deal with that in my future. Do I believe in a future? Yes. A future without the trappings of a body. Strictly a soul. I had brief messages from my mother and sister when they died. It was enough to know it was them. I don’t believe that will end. But I guess I may or may not find out if that has an end when I’m gone.

The good news, I think, is we never really know when our time is up. I got a message that told me to slow down. I had to, as pneumonia is that way. It forces you to relax, sit back, and don’t do much. Watch television, and fall asleep if you can. Coughing is not fun. How do you get much done when coughing or with a full nose?

So what will not last… Everything. Well, some say cockroaches will be here no matter what. Then others will add bed bugs, spiders, and ants. I don’t know. I guess I don’t care who will outlast me. Most people I know will, as I am fast becoming one of the oldest. If this was meant for a long list, I didn’t do the assignment correctly. But then again, is there someone out there who will tell me that I did this wrong? Sure, go ahead. Let’s see your list. I won’t start with a list like outhouses, as my daughter has one on the property they are building on. How about an old-fashioned phone? People still have them as antiques. How about an old typewriter… Same! So, for now, suffice it to say the list could go on for pages. A whole bookcase, and where do we go with that? Nowhere. Time to end as the timer just went off.

Natalie Goldberg’s Writing Down the Bones Deck prompts — This is a great loosening-up exercise. Your mind can grab so much to throw on the page. Look around. Nothing you see or think or sense is forever. Go ahead. Try it. Profound truth is here and the writing can lead to a vast wisdom. Another word for what will not last: impermanence.

But I’m getting ahead. See what you discover.

I took a break to think about this part.

And, thought maybe my husband could help here

All he could come up with was a fart!

He said, a fart is permanent as it happens then its nowhere.

And then I asked what else, and he said some art

What do you mean? He said, an old canvas with a smart

piece of art can be covered for a fresh start,

then he added, probably with some dumb old modern-art.

~

I was 5'7" and that wasn’t permanent as I’m now 5'5"

2 inches gone. Nowhere to be found. That really pinches.

It affects my self-esteem, as I always thought of myself as tall,

which may be permanent, too. I can't get my height back and all

because I gave away so many shoes, boots, and all of my highheels.

No way to get them back as I promised, no more purchases of heels.

Prompts do end! I ran out of Rupi Kaur prompts, my favorites, I’d say.

Others have ended too. They were helpful at the time, but hey,

they will all come to an end, and that includes Natalie Goldberg

I’m sure there will be others, but will they come in time for this old bird?

~

Okay, so what about bookstores? I can’t go in without buying something

However, most of the time, it is for gifts or fundraisers, and the thing

is, I am decluttering and wondering what I will do with everything

on those bookshelves. I listen to books on tape and read almost anything

I want to read on social media, vocal media and medium, and also books on

tape. I wonder how much we will read from books. Will bookstores be gone

in my lifetime? Well, I don't know this to be true. Time to cut this, it's long.