A Letter From An Unfilial Son

Mother, 

Night has faded away

In slow steps

And few stars remain

As if holding onto the last strings of hope.

Nay, 

This new Sun doesn't bring me joy 

For its very radiance is tainted. 

Look, how he smiles at me 

As if mocking my helplessness. 

Mother,

Pages have turned yellow

In anticipation

And the flickering lamp of light

Struggles to bring them to life.

Nay, 

The pen wading through the ridges of the ol' paper

Doesn't evoke emotions anymore. 

For what it is to express oneself 

When the imagination itself is dead. 

Mother, 

Do you remember? 

Some seventy years ago. 

When I came into this cruel world 

And sought love into your warm embrace?

Nay, 

My naive self couldn't. 

Nor did my gratitude. 

For being oblivious to your care 

Is what I had ever known.

Mother, 

Do you remember? 

Some fifty years ago 

When I returned to you broken and dejected 

And threw open to you my gates of insecurity?

Nay, 

I remained closed to you. 

Secrets are hidden and stories untold. 

For I had deluded myself into believing 

That the world was changing and you were left behind. 

Mother, 

Do you remember? 

Some thirty years ago

When I was consumed by drudgery 

And sought solace in your selfless love?

Nay, 

I was consumed by selfishness 

And the shadows of aversion. 

For all it took were few gentle words of yours

To send you far away from me. 

Mother, 

Do you remember? 

Some ten years ago

When I was overburdened with guilt 

And yet you give me a place in your affectionate heart? 

Nay, 

I had lost myself to the dark abyss

Of cold winds and general apathy. 

For you evanesced away in destitution 

While I indulged in the riches of the world. 

Mother, 

My quivering hands

Fail me now. 

I seek not gaiety nor mirth

Nor the radiant joys which please the young. 

Nay, 

I seek your selfless love mother 

Your warm embrace and your gentle words. 

Look, the heavens call to me. 

May we be reunited in death.