Book 12: THIS IS THE WAY IT ENDS

It is the turn of the century; the poet’s birthday is celebrated when a female friend organises a fireworks display; he reminisces on all that he has not included in this autobiographical poem:

…his mother’s death, his engagement with prostitutes, his brother’s death, loss of loves and families, his life as a seaman, fragments of childhood images, his appearance in front of Lord Lane and the Law Lords… it is almost as if the poet is experiencing death as his life flashes before him…

BUT; it isn't THE END; the poem ends optimistically; this is definately not the end, he still has many options and most of his life ahead of him.

(NOTE: The poet began a new life quite recently when he qualified and began work as a psychotherapist; who knows what else lies ahead?)