Charles A. Cave
Last Words, Continued...

Unlike, for instance, the following examples:

"I’m bored with it all," uttered the British war hero, Winston Churchill, prior to slipping into a coma from which he would never awaken. Here Churchill cements his status as a legendary hero, as he remains as fearless in death as he was in life. Indeed, Churchill's comment makes death appear appealing, for if life could no longer stimulate someone as exalted as a man of his stature, then perhaps death holds an adventure for us all. Nevertheless, Churchill wasn't the first or the last person to demonstrate such a nonchalant attitude towards death. More recently, and less prolifically known, Sonya Calderon had this to say before being bludgeoned to death: "I never much cared for livin’ anyways."

Other deathbed accounts practically stamp out the fear of dying entirely. When asked how she was feeling by her husband Robert, the dying Elizabeth Barrett Browning replied, "Beautiful." Such a perfectly uncomplicated response! The positive connotation of this singularly powerful term practically diminishes the natural fear associated with dying. It's fitting that two of Britain's greatest poets co-authored this incredibly poignant verse. It isn't too often that an individual is able to resign herself to a mere word when she knows it is going to be the last thing she will ever say. What more can be said of Elizabeth Barrett Browning? She was inspiring in life and inspiring in death; truly remarkable.

Speaking of remarkable, preceding his disembowelment, Carl Keating looked towards his deliverer and said: "I’ve been waiting for this my whole life." Without a doubt, Keating's declaration is a virtual testament to the life cycle. Each and every living being's life is culminating towards its death –- but what after that? This is, perhaps, the most important question ever posed.

There is an inherent fear of death, because man has always feared the unknown. Subsequently, man has always sought answers to the unknown. In seeking to understand death, it may be worthwhile to listen to the words of a man who daringly provided exceptional, albeit controversial, insight towards the pursuit of solving the mystery of life. The founder of evolution theory, Charles Darwin, boldly claimed, "I am not the least afraid to die" before he died in 1882. If the father of evolution had no reason to fear death, then why should we? Surely he was aware of the next phase in the evolution of the living. At least, it's comforting to believe so.

In case you're wondering, I know all of this because I'm in the process of writing a book. A book of words. Last words, that is. At the risk of sounding pretentious, I must admit that I'm quite proud of my efforts thus far. Perhaps it's an ill opportune moment to sing my own praises; it is after all, your moment. Nevertheless, I think it necessary and fitting that you fully well-know what you're about to become a part of. It is my hope and contention that my collection -- an anthology of dead sentences if you will -- will shed new light on an old subject, and lead to a greater understanding and appreciation of the two great binary opposites, life and death, which have always been inextricably linked. Essentially, my book intends to demystify death. Ambitious, I know. But not unprecedented.

Prior to passing on, the American abolitionist, Henry Ward Beecher, solemnly declared, "Now comes the mystery." Beecher wasn't the first to refer to death as a mystery. Humankind has sought to solve the great mystery of death since the moment we first became cognizant of our own mortality. I myself have given the topic considerable thought. Eventually, it occurred to me that the best way to glean some insight into the world of death was to listen to those whom were in its closet proximity. This epiphany prompted the writing of my book. I would unravel the mystery through research and experimentation. I would collect, compare, and analyze the last words of a diverse sample. The final words of the famous and not-so-famous, the rich and the poor, and the male and the female are all similar in that they are all unique, original, and final.

While an examination of the lasts words of the living is an excellent and worthwhile endeavor in the pursuit of understanding death, the process must be undertaken with the greatest of care. Sources must be verified and accuracy of quotes must be authenticated and substantiated with as much additional evidence as is possible. When recording an individual's last words, the process surrounding the collection should be given the utmost consideration to promote quality. Otherwise, one may corrupt the integrity of the experiment. Case in point, when asked what she saw as she slipped into unconsciousness, due to severe and repeated head trauma, Anna Day, incoherently muttered the following: "Go...d...ple...z...G...od...St...O..p...leeea....zzzz..St..ppp....p..l...eee...zzz...zzzz..." Day's final words are barely discernable (they present a sort of mystery all their own) and her mumblings are almost worthless. I admittedly am partially to blame for this mishap. Therefore, I have made it standard procedure to stress the magnitude of the situation to all participants.

Please pay attention: This part concerns you.

The last thing you will do in this life is speak. Depending upon the life you have led, the words you speak could be the most significant thing you’ve ever done. Thanks to my book, your words will ensure your survival. What I'm offering you is immortality. Can you grasp the significance of your situation? Don't be so dour! The foreknowledge I've provided you with is extremely valuable; that is, if you should make good use of it. It's not a bad thing really. I mean it could be worse. Imagine if you were to fall asleep one night and never wake up again, or were to get hit by a bus after exiting a discount department store, or, perhaps, be arbitrarily picked off by a sadistic highway sniper. Do you catch my drift? What I'm getting at here, the point I'm trying to convey, is that you'd be oblivious. Seize this opportunity. Take advantage of it. Think about the last thing you'd like to say to the world. Please, take your time. This is, after all, the last thing you will ever do. No pressure, but the quality of your last words will determine the degree to which you will be remembered throughout history for all time. Remember: people die, but words are forever.

Again, no pressure. Take your time. Think of something that will leave a long and lasting impression. If inspiration strikes before I return, ring this bell, and I'll come straight away.

So now that you've had sufficient time to mull the matter over, what is it that you have to say? Don't be alarmed; the butane torch isn't intended to distract you; its purpose is to inspire. Your entire life has been leading up to this moment. You are not on the brink of death, but on the verge of immortality. Embrace the moment. Embrace the flame. I am only the recorder.

Now let me hear your last words.

Tell me what I need to hear.

Tell me I’m going to live forever.

Tell me there’s life after this.

Tell me, yes, yes, tell me what it is I need to hear.

END