COURAGEOUS GREY WORLD

Death is inevitable. Yet death visits in unpredictable way. Sometimes snatching away young life’s cruelly and at times lazing around only to answer fervent calls leisurely. This poem is dedicated to my sweet GRANNY (maternal grand-mother) who lived a long and most of the times a happy full life, until she was left incapacitated and immobile 6 years ago. During most of her bedridden times she prayed for death to visit her and even asked us to convey the same prayers to GOD. She had a beautiful family and life and now she was eager for her last journey to join Grandpa. Yet death betrayed her mercilessly for 6 long years. The first time I saw this utterly independent, courageous and spirited person incapacitated by old age, I was pained. But it was 3 years back when the wires and fuses of her brain gave up that I realized how cruel life can be. Time and many of members of family younger to her passed away and made me realize that life is ironic too and utterly difficult to comprehend. There are no rules in death- No universal law or sequence. Today she passed away leaving behind a legacy, uncountable happy memories, inimitable strength, beauty of soul and a prayer that may her soul REST IN PEACE. Far away, in another part of the world, removed from the parting rituals I hope that souls are bounded by no place or time – she is free once again, mobile just the way she was meant to be and will visit me at will. LOVE YOU ALWAYS AEE

 COURAGEOUS GREY WORLD

She walked with grace

Dignity her companion,

A fire housed in her frail frame

No hurdle, no barrier shakes her faith still

The flames ignite her mind still.

“My life is now my own, I’m free at last, of duties, of demands, I am strong still.”

Each line, each furrow, etched in her face

Echo a tale of  sacrifice, service and infinite grace

There those lines grazing her forehead, hide the pain of nursing a sick child, worrying for partners health,

 Speaking volumes of a life lived for others, she never thought as separate from her soul

                                                                                    

Time urges her gently to take it slow

Now is the moment to wallow in glory

To put up your feet and enjoy the reaps flowery

She fumbles and falls many a times

Any helping hand she resists pushes away with scorn

Within her mind, everything is a jumble

At times memories of betrayal and broken faith cast a dark cloud

Her well-wishers dumbfounded by her disdain, know not the struggle that rips her soul

The past and present all mixed up like a confusing knoted woolen ball,

The wires within her brains are fused and take a toll

Visions of past vivid, demand urgent attention

She speaks and smiles at her dead brother visible only to her

The difference spanning across time all blurred in her world,

Old and senile that’s what the youth calls her world

No one knows the strength and courage it takes to hold up in that mirage world.