How utterly shocking it was
To see his smile fading like a flower
Withering in summer's hot sun,
He who with his ‘Good Morn' would pause
‘Pon delivering office papers
And daily supply of goodwill
With his customary broad smile
Only to melt soon as a moon
Might behind monsoon's grey clouds,
And dissolve unto his work;
A smiling mobile face
It seems is a forgotten grace.
And hard it was to imagine
Him in a hospital bed, but he was.
No, it was not the dark gloom
That enveloped his bed and room,
His searching, sinking eyes,
Nor yet the milieu all around,
Nor even a sunken, gaunt face,
I was struggling to trace
That ubiquitous smile in vain,
I hoped, would surface despite pain.
But amidst the surrounding dread,
A forlorn face sunk further in bleak bed!
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Amos, he worked with me— a sincere, diligent hand ever smiling. I recall one day we heard the shocking news that his kidneys were sinking. The company gave some help and colleagues contributed towards medical expenses, but the treatment was long drawn, and he opted for VRS and left.
The poem describes the scene at hospital bed. It has Hopkins's Sprung Rhythm.
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Reminiscing | 03.10.08 |
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
No, it was not the dark gloom/That enveloped his bed and room/His searching, sinking eyes/Nor yet the milieu all around....Your love and emotions for your colleague and friend is laudably articulated! A poignant piece of work sir...10
Thank you so much Dr Swain, but you must have seen this poem has had no reader except you. I accept your sentiments, even now when I remember this old colleague my eyes moisten a little. I really appreciate your review.