By Daniel Paiz

There are some folks who might know the author of these TLB pieces, but the majority of those reading likely do not. “TLB” always stood for “The Last Buzz”, a reference to a person and not an inebriated state or some other metaphor. This series never had a determined number of pieces, because it was unknown how long this difficult period of life would last.

Fortunately, and unfortunately, it has come to an end in one aspect.

The following is processing what has taken place, and reflecting on the impact of the one buzzing and making themselves heard. It was always a term of endearment. Speaking in the past tense is normally something this writer does despite it often being considered passive voice by those who write professionally. That take is wrong in many cases because it takes away the writer’s voice and it also removes their review of events. Events which have now passed.

Take a moment to reflect on who has been vitally important to you, and how you have processed or will process and live through the beginning of their absence.

The Last Buzz

That was our last dinner together and I didn’t know,

For days if not weeks,

was hard to try and understand,

the looks and glances come to think of it by one preparing to go.

///

No suitcase, handbag,

or anything else,

prepare you for that trip,

unknown whether one flies or flails.

///

Not far from a century, those flights were ecstatic,

bounding from moment to moment,

making joy, smiles, and laughter,

while avoiding roadblocks, surviving disasters.

///

Imperfect as the rest of us for sure,

but flaws help highlight the lessons instilled,

stubborn and feisty, caring and kind,

these go together because behind toughness, sensitivity one finds.

The doctors said you wouldn’t see New Year’s,

four weeks beyond it

you survived to delay what was feared.

The holidays were tough, you found joy in small ways,

wasn’t the decorations or food,

but the smiles and spirits raised.

Moments arrived when your eyes and face betrayed you,

hinted at sadness, but acceptance and life still coursed through.

///

That night of the last meal was somber, genteel,

almost as if one knew an exit revealed.

The world is a little less buzzworthy than it was that fateful day,

her presence still felt in subtle and grieving ways,

in life and death and everything in between,

one can say now, our bee is free.

///

TLB Series included the following three pieces:

Reeling in Raleigh: https://cyphersessions.co/2025/12/02/reeling-in-raleigh-tlb-poetry-series/

Today, A Non-Descript Saturday: https://cyphersessions.co/2026/01/13/today-a-non-descript-saturday-tlb-poetry-series/

The Last Buzz: https://cyphersessions.co/2026/02/18/the-last-buzz-tlb-poetry-series/