My Sad Demise Poem by P K Joy

By the time you reached, my funeral had ended
And the cemetery’s gate was about to be bolted.
Good that you’re late. I could talk with comfort,
And tell you the latest experience of pains, and depart.

Ever since I became laid up, you had been absent
From the place, and so, my woes I couldn’t narrate.
I have been suffocating, not being able to pour out
My sadness to you, as you’re close to me, and patient.

For over six decades we have been close to each other,
Revealing to each other our hearts’ feelings, sans cover.
As friends with the same background and wavelength
We built between us an understanding of great depth.

I knew well all of my so-called ‘close relations’.
None had any interest in my sentimental revelations.
In the past few months my heirs had been busy bickering
Over my wealth as they knew my end was nearing.

With claims and disputes they often woke me up.
But, to give me a little care, none has ever looked me up!
Nobody bothered about my thirst, hunger, medicine or toilet.
My wails scarcely answered; day and night I lay as a hermit.

I learned through painful experience that my property
Had kept relations good to me only as long as my faculty

To give as I liked, was in tact. After I was laid up,
With the assured legal inheritance right, they gave me up!

My relations looked forward to an early end of their ‘wait’
So that they could grab their shares and quit.
When with massive hard work and sacrifices I saved money
I had never envisaged that this will be my destiny.

Although I wanted to be with you and talk much more,
The bell rang signaling me to stop. My time’s over.
Your visit enabled me to release the pressure in my chest
And see the face of a man who cared for friends, before I left.

Adieu my friend! You never wanted any of my possessions.
The only thing you expected was my sincere association.
If only you were present in the place when I confined to bed,
My last days and demise, I’m sure, wouldn’t have been so sad.