The lady was laid on the ground
With a white cloth covering her fully,
Keeping only the face to be seen
By the mourners -
The face was serene –
Did not show the agony of life
The pathos of pain
Which she encountered for the last two decades
As a mental patient;
Only her husband stood by her –
Looking after her with pain in his heart and soul
But not showing pity on her, nor being a victim of helplessness
I saw him always bringing happiness around him,
Even when he was going through painful moments of life
For all these years.
I saw him sobbing at the side of her
Not being able to reconcile with the truth -
Feeling a void around him;
She was with him always –
She waited for him alone in the corner of his small house,
Which he made for her only a few months back,
When he came in the evening after work
And he lived for her;
Now, all of a sudden, she had left him
Leaving him alone – with only painful memories
Not providing any hope for life
Tears welled up in his eyes – He was trying to keep the drops from falling down
To show all others around – as if nothing had happened;
I was amazed at the courage of true love
The truthful selflessness
Even in his deepest sorrow and pain
He was trying to manage others around him
The so-called “neighbours and friends, and kith and kin”
Who will go after a few hours or tomorrow,
Leaving him alone...
I went slowly up to him
Tapped on his shoulder – and gripped his hand
He slowly released his pent-up feelings to me
And slept on my lap;
While his beloved wife slept on mother earth.
Based on a true occurrence, near my home – 17th October, 2013
It sounds like a very personal experience which made a huge impact on you.
Yes, often expression of condolence is just a show - the mourner is alone in his pain and agony.
And a pat or a touch has a huge palliative effect.
The poem conveys your feelings well.
Jayadev Menon 30-Oct-2013 05:57 AM
Dear Baburaj, I was moved by the poignancy of pathos of your narrating the stillness of death deifying the power of love. Have been missing our chats. Greetings to family. Vasu.
