Signing Out! Poem by Shahzia Batool
Signing Out!
When I shall cease to breathe the vital air
The news will spread like a wild fire
In my limited circle where a very few people know me
Some of my folks will be busy receiving calls
The others dialing
Some elderly ones will check all the drawers are safely locked up
Some young ones will pick up my scattered books from my bed
It will be checked whether money enough is there
Or it will be withdrawn from the bank
for all the expected arrangements
People will work all with teary eyes
Some will ask for the time of the rites
All furniture will be set aside or removed for flooring
The work will be done
punctuated by the occasional sounds of cries
mute and quiet, sobs and sighs
rising loud when some new visitor arrives
at hearing the news of the sad demise
The sis will not be informed of all this
She’ll get to know something amiss
When she’ll come and find the Gate open, and meet
the people standing in the street
She’ll come addressing me aloud
I’ll hear her
Though won’t be able to reply from the shroud
My siblings will be hugged and consoled by some
All, even the angry kin will come
In the other room
Some distant neighbors will start counting beads
For me to take with me in the long journey
When that time will come
Rendering me quiet and dumb
I shall be unable to care for my backlog, as I daily do
To complete my half-done write
To cover the Topic I started teaching in the class
To ask for the forgiveness if ever I spoke so harsh
For not keeping my word
For carrying sins of omission and commission
So if you kindly read it till the end
And do not shun this write
By merely reading the first line
Forgive me all my foolish things
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Whenever I work on my PC, I keep
All my regular Tabs open for the next joining in, but
tonight as these thoughts are not away from my mind
Tonight out of some uncertain fear I’m signing out of all the Tabs! ! !
Shahzia, it is not yet time to sign out! When one broods over one's parting from the world, it is an indication that she/he is going to have long years ahead! Nevertheless a wonderful write! I can imagine the shock of everyone to see you lying in state... especially your sister's... (not serious! !)
Very few has the boldness to speak of or talk about one's own demise...... It is never a pleasurable event to jot on henceforth many wouldn't do so. Unlike you have the courage to foresee the inevitable truth!
We born, we die. I could of die many times in my life, but God kept me here to go through many, I mean many problems, you probably heard, wars, revolution, dead bodies abound, starvation, poverty, bombings, divorces, troubles and troubles, but I could not chicken out of life, there was a reason to stay alive. Now I found true happiness within myself but if the time comes I do not wish others be sad for me. And I do not care who says what, possibly they forget you in no time, or some will be happy that you are not here anymore. So, cheer up Shahzia, face life, deal with it, find happiness within yourself, be happy for the sunrise, the birds chirpings and every little thing around you, love others, do not hate anybody, be kind and then your world will change. I do not ask people to read my poems, only those will find them anyway who are ready for more wisdom for their going forward in life.
Death is a reality as big as life and a subject dealt by many great masters. ''Thou know'st 'tis common; all that lives must die, Passing through nature to eternity.'' ''Dar'st thou die? The sense of death is most in apprehension; And the poor beetle that we tread upon, In corporal sufferance feels a pang as great As when a giant dies.'' (Shakespeare) Hence pangs of death are felt by every living creature. You have depicted the scene after death very realistically what we've been observing throughout our life. Each line is profound and thoughtful. Ah! 'signing out of all the tabs'.......because we don't want to share our solitude even after death. It's a thought-provoking write, dear pal. (I often think who will tell my internet friends that I'm no more in the world now) I wish you a long, happy life.
When I shall cease to breathe the vital air The news will spread like a wild fire...What an amazing expression really. this amazes mind....10
A beautiful poem reflecting sad thoughts. Deserves 10/10! A friend of mine passed away about two years ago. I still visit his Facebook page and read/write comments, knowing fully well that he is no more. Your depiction of the after death scenario is picture perfect! Got a lump in my throat and had to stop several times before reaching the end. 'Tonight out of some uncertain fear I’m signing out of all the Tabs! ! ! ' Says a lot, but may the fear be unfounded!
Beautiful poem Shahzia. Death is unavoidable. Meaningful write again from your pen. I am just wondering when you will be signing in?
a very realistic elaboration of a situation after death. Very true, but before it occurs, many things, many more writings are still remaining for others to read & enjoy......
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
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12/5/2025 5:37:16 AM # 1.0.0
Meaningful write, truly expressive of the real world and interaction we have with the environment!