Interview classmates, family, and friends about a time when they experienced a premonition of death. What common themes emerge in their narratives?

Justice dedicated this poem to fellow poet Mark Strand. Explore Strand’s poetry collection Darker and discuss the similarities in how both poets depict and perceive death.

Create a list of ways death is visually depicted in modern art, film, literature, and culture. Consider the gender and age of death, and where and when it typically appears. What do these observations reveal about society's relationship with death?

Conduct research on what occurs in the brain during the final moments before death. Share your discoveries with your class.

Investigate the stories of individuals who have experienced near-death events. How have these experiences transformed their lives?

If you were informed that you would die tomorrow, how would you choose to spend your final day? Plan an itinerary down to the last minute.

Continue the poem by writing one or two three-line stanzas where the master speaks to death. Then, compose another stanza or two where Death replies. Aim to emulate Justice’s tone and style as closely as possible.