Ma And Pa Poem by Daniel Trevelyn Joseph

How they died in my house long ago,
In Mumbai, though they lived in Chennai.

How she had lymphosarcoma,
Cancer of the lymphnodes, all over,
Doctor had said She'd live at most for
Seven years, and so she did, died at 55.

As Collector of Kolhapur, I or my wife
Drove with her for every sitting
Of radiation in Miraj Mission hospital,
And later for chemotherapy.

Father, how he dragged 14 years
Alone, without Mom, with Parkinson's
Though mild, he suffered emotionally
I tried my best, but he suffered badly.

He would laugh though recalling
How he had kicked someone front
In a football match, excited,
Sixty years ago, recounting to me.

Thank God they went their way,
When they did, and not suffered more!