The Grim Reaper paves its way into our lives
uninvited,
unwarranted (at times)
unrecognizable (too).
I live years long
waiting for his/her their arrival
like a nestling in a nest
left forlorn by Mamma bird
on her daily hunt for food
like a robot mother in the kitchen hurriedly cooking up
a meal for me before it is time to tread.
That’s what you do before descending
from the skies like an eagle swooping to kill,
for you, it’s normal drill.
I guess, you value your post
as death-host turning humans into ghosts.
As much as you would want to,
As much as you are destined to
fulfill your duty to snuff out lives
age after age,
time after time
I wonder at times.
Would you even want it anyway else?
Maybe, instead of terminating human cells
would you prefer activating new borns instead?
Would you rather fancy lighting a candle or two
instead of blowing out a breath?
Guess not ‘cos you are Death!
Believe it or not, I remember you more
than I think of some of my ridiculous relatives.
You, me go far when that sperm united with the ova
treading along the potholed path so far.
But again, what would you be without me?
One less human whose death to oversee?
You realize don’t you, that you exist because I do
otherwise,
what other job would there be for you?
You, the Angel of Demise,
You, the closure of maya,
You, the culmination of all desire.
Mistake me not.
Do not even for an instant think
that by conversing with you in this manner
I invite you before my time is due.
I need you as much you do me.
You are my bridge to cross over,
my hope cloud for my soul’s lawnmower
to take another form,
to work our karma in another life
for,
others may love and leave
You, my friend are my coloured threads
in the garment of existence that I weave.
Shail Raghuvanshi is a poet, freelance journalist, copyeditor, voice actor and artist. She has 30 years of writing experience for newspapers, magazines, radio, television and internet. She has been the Cultural Correspondent for India’s first integrated media and entertainment company, PLUS Channel. She has written the course material for the Post Graduate Programme in Advertising and Public Relations for Madurai Kamaraj University. Her poems, short stories, articles have been published in leading magazines, journals and anthologies. You can find her at https://musenmotivation.wordpress.com/ and https://www.instagram.com/shailraghuvanshi/.
Comentários