Photo: Atharva Kenkre
When I was ironing for my school,
A loud noise I heard– it was a glass
Dropped by a shivering hand
Resting the receiver back,
Mom told me– it's grandpa.
It was peaceful and serene, I was told
How can death be peace– I shrugged.
When I was traveling for a wedding,
My phone buzzed, such an odd time
All I could hear was my cousin sobbing
After a deadly pause,
He cleared his throat– it was my uncle.
An untimely demise, I was told
Can death be timely? I pondered.
This time I felt it close, close enough
The noise of life supporting machines,
The smell of reek hospital spirit
And the hopeless mien in all the eyes
Your friend is no more, said the nurse.
Gone too soon, cancer took away,
How can it be preponed– I cried.
A sunny morning, I woke up to the news
That the rapists were shot at sight.
Everyone celebrated their death.
For a better future, said the media
A justifiable punishment, explained all,
Yes, they deserve it– I made myself clear.
Be it a peaceful bliss,
Or an untimely mess.
Be it a fatal sense,
Or a comeuppance,
Death is sure inevitable.
All that matters is
How they grace it
while you face it.