Oops! I Did it Again

 

 

While I was looking for a certain poetry book manuscript in my files yesterday, I saw one labeled “Poetry book on dreams and dreaming.” When I saw that, a thought struck me: Which one?

 

When authors write a book on a topic, whether it’s fiction or nonfiction, they usually write one. I have found, however, that I tend to write two.

 

I have written two poetry books on dreams and dreaming: Dream World and Only In My Dreams. One is not very different from the other: Both books contain personal experiences with dreams, as well as thoughts and meditations on the different types of dreams we have.

 

And I have now written two poetry books on the subject of grieving: Poems for the Grieving Heart, as well as my new poetry book, Last Writes. Also, in Last Writes, there are two poems that are similar to each other but they have different titles.

 

I always have to have two of everything, ya know!

 

But even as these two poetry books appear to be on the same topic, they are not. Grieving Heart includes poems on grieving, loss, and bereavement. While there are poems in Last Writes that also fall into these categories, this book also explores death culture, the topic of death, confronting our own mortality as well as personal observances of the death of loved ones.

 

So while these two books are sort of the same, they are not exactly the same. Even so, several years have passed between the two of them, and grief is one of those universal concepts that can bring new ideas and experiences into our lives, so it’s really not surprising that I had more poems to write on this subject.

 

In the case of Last Writes especially, experiencing grief over the loss of my brother did inspire new poems. I have two brothers one who passed away last year, and this particular brother was the first one to pass away. I was experiencing this kind of loss for the first time. Some people may feel that grief is the same no matter which of our loved ones pass away, but in my case, it was a very unique experience for me. Perhaps losing a sibling or a brother is a unique experience for everyone. I certainly did not anticipate writing so many poems while I mourned this loss, though I am grateful that I did. Writing those poems helped me to adjust to it and accept life with this person no longer in it.

 

Around the time that this book was scheduled for release, I was asked to provide a 200-word promo piece for this book, along with an excerpt from the book.

 

Here is what I wrote:

 

Last Writes

Dawn Colclasure

Twisted Dreams Press, 2026

69 ppg. (paperback)

ISBN-13: 979-8187167968

Link

 

 

Last Writes by Dawn Colclasure is a collection of poetry on death, dying, and grief. It allows readers to explore the many facets of death and bereavement, as well as offer comforting verse in times of sadness when we say our final goodbyes.

 

While the subject of death may be morbid to some, it is a transition which we all must one day make. Some cultures honor and celebrate the memories of those who have passed on, while many people reserve a unique interpretation and fascination of death and dying. The poems in the first part of this book reflect these various differences.

 

The sadness we experience when losing a loved one may leave us unable to find the right words to say, and this is where the second part of the book, The Mourning After, can be helpful. Here readers will find poems capturing the many stages of grief, meditations on loss, and gentle passages to share during our final moments with those we love. Mourning the loss of a loved one can be one of the most difficult experiences, and the poems in this book offer a gentle reminder that no one need proceed on this journey alone.

 

 

EXCERPT FROM

 

Last Writes

Copyright © 2026 by Dawn Colclasure

 

 

Death Mementos

 

I can’t carry their deaths with me

Because I promised I would go on

With my life. Doing what must be done.

Living on autopilot.

 

So instead, I will keep their deaths

Up high on a shelf.

Visible daily.

Remembered often.

 

Just one glance

At their deaths

Is enough

To pull me back down.

 

At least, in this way,

Before once again

Glancing up at that shelf,

I can prepare myself with a reminder:

They are gone.