My Mother's Last Day

I remember so well your last day, the twenty-fifth of June,

Though five years back, it's so fresh in my mind,

As if it happened just a few hours ago,

Only if I knew it was your last day here………

Not a single moment, I would have left your side!

I thought you were tired and sleeping sound,

That’s why you were closing your eyes most of the time!

You woke up twice during the night,

You told me someone is peeping from the window once,

Again, you said that many came in and are behind the cupboard doors!

I got up, held your hand and consoled you saying,

No one is there near the window or in the cupboard too,

Then you slept till the morning like a child,

You drank tea instead of milk that morning,

You were freshened up like every other day!

 I made sooji porridge for breakfast as usual,

I fed you that till the very last drop,

I was so happy that you had it all.

I patted gently on your cheek and said, ‘very good mummy,’

Suddenly a little yellow liquid you brought out and felt numb!

I thought you lost consciousness and called the duty nurse,

She came in and then the doctor came in too,

They sent me out and tried to revive you,

The doctor came out and said, ‘Don’t cry please,’

It’s the most peaceful death I have ever seen!

People struggle here so much when they die,

She must have prayed very hard for a peaceful death,

She had a silent attack and she was gone,

He said, be happy she didn’t struggle even a bit,

In this hematology ward, no one has such a kind death at all!

It was hard to believe what the doctor said,

I was all alone with her, then I called all my dear ones,

Soon my husband, brother, sister, sis in law and all others came,

Went home to inform Daddy, he couldn’t believe it as she was younger and stronger than him,

We should have saved her and not let her die he kept saying all the time!

She was brought home and so many people poured in,

The church and funeral service was filled with her loved ones,

Her family and friends bid her adieu teary-eyed,

Even now we miss you every single day without fail,

Knowing that we would be better in every way with you around us!