Jim Morrison Poem Being Auctioned

A Jim Morrison poem found inside the Paris hotel room where he died in 1971 is being auctioned. The handwritten poem by The Doors lead singer was written on the last page of a thick notebook. “Last words, last words out,” the final line of the poem read.

The double-sided Jim Morrison poem is reportedly the highlight of an online auction which “went live” on Thursday. Paddle8, the auctioneer, announced that the poem by The Doors singer is open for bidding through June 25. The handwritten poem is expected to bring between $60,000 to $80,000 when the bidding closes.

Morrison died at the age of 27, and the exact cause of The Doors singer’s death was never determined. Speculation has abounded over the decades, including theories that Morrison faked his own death and is living out his days anonymous seclusion.

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Songs written by Morrison, much like the poem being auctioned, often featured dark lyrics — some presume the prose was fueled by drugs and alcohol. Some of The Doors biggest hits during the 1960s include “Light My Fire,” “L.A. Woman,” and “Riders on the Storm.”

Paddle8 staffer Simeon Lipman believes Jim Morrison was “kind of obsessed” by the theme of death. “Obviously, we don’t know if it’s the last thing he ever wrote … but it was among the last things he ever wrote – certainly.”

The poem being auctioned was reportedly found inside Morrison’s “fascination trunk,” where he houses other personal belongings. The writings inside the once intact notebook were broken apart and sold in pieces during the course of several years, Paddle8 revealed. The poem currently up for auction is numbered, but not dated.

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“I have drunk the drug of forgetfulness,” the “Last Words” poem, which appears on page 152 of the Morrison notebook, also says. The reverse, page 151, contained another poem, or at least part of a poem. “Well, I’m a Soul Cobra Man,” the partial poem, or possibly song lyrics, said. Jim Morrison was fond of wearing snakeskin, especially when he sang, “I’m the Crawlin’ King snake.”

Lipman shared some insight on the other writings in the Jim Morrison notebook.

” ‘What stands out is the fact that the one on page 152 was indeed the last page of the notebook. I actually saw the notebook when it was intact years ago and I remember seeing that last page and those last words and thinking, ‘Wow, this is pretty powerful stuff.’ His writings can be taken so many different ways. Personally I like to visualize what he’s saying. … That’s what makes his songs and poems so relevant today because people can envision them,’ he added.”

Jim Morrison moved to Paris in 1971 to focus on writing and to take a break from performing. The Doors singer died just a few months later. While the French police ruled out foul play as a cause of death, an autopsy was never performed.

Morrison fans from around the world still visit the singer’s grave in Paris.

What do you think of the Jim Morrison poem being auctioned?

[Image via: Maksym Bonderchuk/Shutterstock]