The Ultimate Price Poem by Nirode Ray

This is the end!
Like the Adele's song in “Skyfall”
Walter rests there near slain
like a warrior deserted in a battle
in blood, sweat and pain.
His memories sling on,
his fall, his defeat, and triumph,
too many wrong deeds, too many stumbles.
Does he have any remorse? Any regret?
May be not

He accepts death, the ultimate price he pays.
Why do people die for their families?
Is it a basic tribal instinct?
Is it a sequel of human evolutionary process?
Or is there something beyond eternal bliss?
Walter cannot answer that question


His last wish, only thing for he craves
Junior could have deemed his words
“I didn't kill your uncle Hank.
Please believe me my son.”
But it is too late
Walter knows he slit his son’s trust and faith
It is harrowing for him to accept
He raised his fading eyes and asked
Why is God so cruel and unjust?

A gale blows, it chills his mind and wound
The lulling smile of his baby Holly gleams
And it him reminds
there is water for her to bathe
there is air for her to breathe
the Sun will light her fresh life to bloom.
For that he thanks God in his dying gloom
And he smiles before he folds.