Phoenix Unit Poem by Aswathi Asok

Whenever I pass by the Phoenix unit
I feel the empty corridor want to say lot of stories to me
The story of grief, pain, torment and the unspoken words of death bed.
The partners and parents who stood outside behind the shut door might wants to scream and shout their pain to the world.
But they remain mute and helpless
Their loved ones inside burning and tingling with the agony of chemo
Loosing each strands of hair and skin color in radiation
How fast the beauty shape and emotions changed?
Courage and strength to speak vanishing day by day
Emotions ended up sharing through long breath and hugs
Knowing one day the door behind might remains shut forever
Not even giving a chance to say good bye.
Now, I can see two of them standing outside the unit
I wondered whether they want to share something to me
I simply smiled at them
One returned smile, but one remained mute
I could rather hear a long sigh from behind.
Aswathi