At Father-In-Law's Bedside Poem by RAJ NANDY

AT FATHER-IN-LAWS BEDSIDE

When an aged man reaches his last stage,
His very soul within begins to rage!
His frail life hangs on a delicate string,
While restless irritation begins to grow within!
He twists and turns and curses his fate seeking
some relief,
Even a well made bed does not give him adequate
sleep!
He remains restless, changing postures, trying to
find an elusive comfortable position;
And he lacks strength to walk or even perform
simple motions!
Sitting by his bed side I become filled with emotions!
He claims that only death can give him the desired
relief;
When the physician prescribes doses of sedatives to
put him to sleep!
Sleep, that shadowy counterfeit and brother of
death,
At the end it engulfs us all as we become overwhelmed
by fate!

-Raj Nandy
New Delhi
20 Jul 08