The Instant of My Death, Sarah Jackson, Analysis, Summary, Themes

The Instant of My Death, Sarah Jackson, Analysis, Summary, Themes

"The Instant of My Death" is a poem by Sarah Jackson that vividly describes a bus journey through the Spiti Valley, with the speaker's attention divided between the crowded, uncomfortable bus and the stunning scenery outside. The poem takes a surprising turn when the speaker sees a young boy playing with a toy gun, and something inside of her shifts, as if she is experiencing a moment of profound realization or transformation. The poem explores themes of perception, mortality, and the fleeting nature of experience, using vivid imagery and powerful language to create a haunting and memorable effect. The Instant of My Death The bus was crammed and the fat man rubbed against my leg like a damp cat while you read The Jataka Tales three rows from the back and we all stumbled on; wheels and hours grinding, tripping as Spiti rose up around us, sky propped open by its peaks. I traced the rockline on the window with my finger, counted cows and gompas, felt my eyes glaze ove…