All That Remains Poem by Aniruddha P N

Your man's back, wounded and lost,
Long has it been, since you saw him last.
He's defeated in his fight, long and hard
Atleast he's back, you are glad at heart.

Reach for the apple, as you sit by his bed,
Unbroken the peels fall, long strips red.
You smile inwardly, as for sure you know
Time's a healer, another chance's bestowed.

Revenge, long as it lasts, consumes all
Only emptiness, guilt, at the end of it all.
No good comes out of it, no one's benifited
You'd tried convincing, yet your man had fled.

The apple's neatly peeled, quatered and cut,
Your man's come around, sitting up and alert.
He's strained, weak and his head is down
But lesson's been learnt, now you will lead him on.

You smile warmingly, and offer him the fruit
He glares at you; strikes the plate with his fist
Disbelieving and hurt, you watch as he walks off again
The apple's squashed on the floor. All that remains is pain.

[22 - Aug - 2008]
[Bangalore]