Margaret Gibson - 'Looking Back, Looking Now'

The transcript is a reflective poem about the author's late husband, exploring themes of life, dying, and the afterlife. It delves into the author's realization of her husband's awareness of his mortality, her own distractions, and the boundless nature of reality. The poem describes their final days together, highlighting non-verbal communication and shared understanding. It concludes with a dream sequence where the author encounters her husband, reflecting on happiness, sadness, and the mystery of the afterlife.

What does the speaker reflect on regarding their husband's awareness?

• His awareness of his impending death

• His desire to travel the world

• His love for cooking

• His interest in writing poetry

How does the speaker describe their husband's acceptance of reality?

• With confusion and fear

• With anger and frustration

• With resistance and denial

• With easy grace and simplicity

In the poem, how does the speaker feel about the words spoken by their husband?

• They were wordless yet deeply understood

• They were loud and aggressive

• They were clear and understandable

• They were confusing and meaningless

What does the speaker dream about in the final section?

• A family gathering with laughter and food

• A journey to a distant land

• A conversation with a stranger

• A day at the beach

What question does the speaker ask in the dream about the afterlife?

• What is the meaning of life?

• How is it in the afterlife?

• Will we meet again?

• Why did you leave?