Death
(Inspired
by Lou Reed's "Magic and Loss" Album)
.
Oh this your mighty body has fallen!
Where once beautiful, strong and supple;
Your whole right half belongs to someone
else
And you with the concept of death begin
to grapple.
.
It happened so suddenly, innocently,
Just before you opened your mouth
You dropped your chicken tandoori
Fell to the floor, to lie in your curry!
.
"Hey there, don't you worry" you cried,
"I just slipped and am taking my bath
in my curry"
You thought the little joke would lighten
the mood
Of your worried friends running from
the buffet table.
.
You listen, ears straining to hear
Above the din of Beeps, buzzers and pumps--
You hear someone weeping, see someone
shedding a tear
Fear wells up within you, as the end
approaches ever nearer.
.
You hear yourself breathing now,
Hear the death rattle of phlegm in your
throat
Your lifeblood begins to ebb and slow
As the death god readies to deal his
blow.
.
You see everything clearly now
Understand for the first time, when where
why and how
It is the lucid interval before your
doom,
As your soul begins to leave the room.
.
by Yudisthra G
27th Dec 1997