Beside the Sick bed I sat ..
All Serene and calm..
With my head bowed low..
Holding my dew cold palm..
My heart was frantic
Anticipating the future,inevitable ..
Judging every moment before mortality
That was available..
I looked at my reflection
In my Mother’s face
Pale and ashen,listless
Without a hope’s trace
She sat in front of me
Her Far away eyes..
Speaking tales of a million sadness
Of a happiness devoid sunrise..
I remember the summers..
I spent with my Grandfather
I remember a Spirited Old man
Chasing wishes and dreams rather..
Than sitting idle or at ease
Or resting for a moment..
Teaching me the ways of life
Disciplining my youthful torment.
Those loving and caressing smiles
Those bright Sunny afternoons..
Under the cool shades..
Tales Of life that won’t end soon..
That cheerful trinkling laughter
And the sublime eyes twinkling
Memories so beautiful of a lifetime
Gently my heart was breaking…
Yet I stayed strong..As i reined in
The surging flood of misery..
Wrecking my insides
As he laid deathly still and sickly..
Words dissipated in the air
Between me and my mother
We did not voice our fears
As we sat unmoving together..
The slow strained breathing..
And the distorted rhythms of impending death
Wavered our blissful Hopes..
Of life and It’s Faith..
Time slowed down its pace
As if getting ready for
The impending Cascade of torments
Ravaging the peaceful shore..
A cold shiver ran down my spine
As I felt the presence
Of the dreadful Entity
Death of Severance..
I could see him smile
And stand beside be politely
And feel his assuring hands
Placed on my Shoulder ..gently
A pang of sadness
Pierced through me
His consoling smile
Confirmed the inevitability
My questioning eyes
Looked at him with cold
Tears of Agony….
I asked him.. “Behold..
Death..The sorrows you cause”
His smiling lips parted
But there was no answer
Only his eyes sparkled
Anger born of agony
Ripped out of me
But he stood still
And stared on calmly
I twisted and writhed
Writhed in Untold pain
But Death stood still
My pain was in vain
Realizing my futile attempts
For Death stood still…
I went Numb
As coldness seemed to fill
I looked at my Grandfather
He seemed to be sleeping
But the warmth was lost forever
Devoid of silent breathing
I looked at my mother
Her bloodless tormented visage
Confirmed my fear of that day
Death got up on his carriage..
I ran after him as fast as I could
Telling him to stop
Screaming my lungs out
But he did not stop…
I ran and ran…
But he never ceased..
To whip his horses..
But time started to freeze…
Death looked back..
His handsome gentle face
Shattered my hopes
As he slowed his pace..
He came down from his carriage
And wiped away my tears
His cold gentle touch
Burned down my fears..
But tears kept overflowing
In a silent parade
I rested my face on his Chest
As he caressed
He made me look all around me
The blazing thousand Summer afternoons
With me and my grandfather
The memories bursting out of cocoons.
Our smiling faces all etched
With happiness of bliss carefree
Of golden sunny moments
Never again to be true
Death got up on his carriage
As I bid Him silent tears of adieu
Leaving behind a precious Gift of Memories
Which I couldn’t see before you..
-By Soumya Bunk