Hands cleansing with tender strokes,
your body cold, devoid of life
is wrapped in new cloth of white.
Finally we pay our last respects, one by one,
fingertips touch, palms meet
as we bow our heads to your feet.
The burning sun shows no mercy
as we escort you through crowded streets.
In a daze my eyes follow your body to the pyre
deeply bedded in wood, away you fade.
Flames shoot skyward sending cinders flying
to mingle with prayers and stifled crying.
Remaining bones and ashes smouldering
are quietly collected by family members.
Your final journey now proceeds
to end in union with flowing water.
Reunited with nature’s land
you gently return into God’s own hand.
Dear Margaret,
ReplyDeleteA simple, well described poem of the last journey.
Reminds me of Darji, may his soul rest in peace.
Waheguru!
Thank you, Sai. I tried to convey my feelings during Darji's cremation in this poem.
ReplyDeleteThanks for leaving a comment.
lovely poem
ReplyDeleteHello Onkar, thank you for always coming over here and commenting.
ReplyDeleteHave a nice day. :)
Touching and beautiful poem, Margaret.
ReplyDeleteI am not blogging now but wanted to come by and say "hello"
Margie x
Beautifully and gracefully written words about a final earthly journey.
ReplyDelete@ Nishant
ReplyDeleteThank you, Nishant for sharing these comforting lines.
Yes, I'll also hold the memory of Darji celebrating his 100th birthday. He was a lucky man. :)
@ Margie
So nice to see you here, Margie...thank you for popping by even though you're not blogging these days.
I hope you're enjoying some beautiful autumn days. :)
@ Bruce
Thank you, Bruce. My father-in-law was a beautiful, graceful man so maybe this poem is apt to his memory.