The Film

by Lotus Hannon

 

‘Breake off this last lamenting kisse, which sucks two soules and vapors both away.’ Inspired by John Donne’s poem, The Expiration is a beautiful, evocative depiction of two secret lovers as they accept they must reluctantly part forever. This adaptation embraces the Renaissance concept of la petite mort that ‘to die’ was ‘to orgasm’ and explores the bittersweet moments of a love's last breath.

 

 

The Poem

by John Donne

 

So, so breake off this last lamenting kisse,

    Which sucks two soules, and vapours both away,

Turne thou ghost that way, and let mee turne this,

    And let our selves benight our happiest day,

We ask’d none leave to love; nor will we owe

    Any, so cheape a death, as saying, Goe;

 

Goe; and if that word have not quite kil’d thee,   

    Ease mee with death, by bidding mee goe too.

Oh, if it have, let my word worke on mee,

    And a just office on a murderer doe.

Except it be too late, to kill me so,

    Being double dead, going, and bidding, goe.