thank you
for being there
for giving us
that last glimpse
of the dying one
shot by docs
weary ward docs
or resigned nurses
last moments
"Take me home,
son!"
"Yes, ma!"
he lied, she knew
crucial goodbyes
helpless, ruthless
necessary goodbyes
phone, you let us
grieve
all night, all day
Apart from each
other
but together
over your lines
shock, numb
at first.
Then, resignation
crying, weeping
remembering
the Lost one
When did you see
her last?
When did you meet
her last?
Whose wedding?
Which funeral?
Oh, she was so
well, then!
Just three days ago,
she was
fine!
The Lost one.
phone, you allowed
us
to grieve together
while far Apart
and now, phone
you let us
be part of what we
couldn't
The Last rites
A funeral
Two attendees
One, the Son
conducts rituals
a pseudo ceremony
the other, a
relative
records the
proceedings
broadcasts on
WhatsApp
phone, you let the Father
watch his son
bid goodbye
to the mom
wife, grand-mom
phone, you let the
Daughter
scream in anguish
from abroad
she got to watch
before and after
phone, thanks
for your zoom feature
such clarity too!
we got to watch
large labels
stuck on her body
Admitted on:
Death on:
scribbled dates and times
block letters
another record, a number
if only a blurry
face
through the tiny glass
of a mortuary van
an attender glances
at his watch
"Hurry, I've got more
to shift
to cremate,
so many more
in the queue."
Last rituals
a coconut, broken
in halves
a lamp wick, flame trembles
some camphor lit
on a small rock -
a makeshift aarti
a flower or two
a murmured teary
prayer
ceremony conducted
to the door
of a death van
closed, of course.
no hugs, no kisses
no touching, oh no.
from far, six feet at
least.
customs followed
not customarily, of course.
we sniff, muffle
sobs
wipe tears
whisper
over weak networks
"Stay
strong"
that done &
dusted mantra
Stay Strong
no choice
phone, you let us
watch
and grieve
safe at home
cocooned
in surreal shells
of woe
stay-home goodbyes
stay-home funerals
what next, phone?
still shuddering,
anything more?
you let us
grieve together
while far apart
Thank you,
smartphone.
Such hear wrenching poem just showcasing the bare truth of what we see before us today . You have beautifully captured all the emotions so well. Bravo !
ReplyDeleteThank you, it was cathartic for me to put this down.
DeleteHeavy one indeed ! Too heavy rather, all of that would surely have swamped and sunk us too deep, but for the 'distant smartphone' in our own hands.
ReplyDeleteYes, much as we regret the technology that has engulfed our lives, they are blessings in disguise too.
Delete