My song had lilt, she used to sit on window sill and smile.
Mindlessly staring at me, holding her only child.
Her kohl was smudged, she swallowed her pain.
She walked freely around the house but her soul was chained.
Past noon, she held her baby close to her chest.
In those empty moments, she often wept.
I sang happy rhymes, painted all that was grey.
I told her many times, people do go far far away.
I was a lost canary but she was more adrift than me.
Pregnant and lost her husband when she was only twenty three.
It saddened me, her sorrows didn't ebb.
Her husband did die but she was dead.
I abandoned her, she never came back from his pyre.
Burning herself each day in that fire.
But like a phoenix, she rose nevertheless.
Churning sorrows into strength that she never expressed.
She built an ebony closet, stacked all her pain in there.
Armored with self-belief with no sorrow to share.
No knight in shining armor, she stood by her own side.
Her head held high, with hard work and pride.
I don't sing for her now, she penned her own song.
How to rise from nothing and be strong.
*Two years back, I wrote about my friend who lost her husband in a car accident on her birthday. She was pregnant and she delivered a baby girl. It fills me with pride and happiness that she, inspite of her problems, worked hard and is now working as a Probationary Officer in a reputed bank.
Salute to all those who never give up in the toughest of times. They are truly inspiring!
God bless her... this is a wonderful tribute. Sometimes you don't think you are capable of immense courage under duress until it is the only option left to you in life..
ReplyDeleteVery sad but thrilled to know she was able to tap her inner strength and placed a good head above her shoulders. It is easier said than done. I will never be able to fully understand or realize her plight and the tough journey she had to embark upon, but today I am proud of her and want to show my respect to this amazing lady. God bless her and her little angel, who actually gave her enough reasons and all the right purpose and direction to their life....Bravo and my heartwarming wishes to her. Great words especially "She build an ebony closet, stacked all her pain in there.
ReplyDeleteArmored with self-belief with no sorrow to share." ...Very clever choice of the word "ebony" ....
Kudos to the brave girl for fighting hard against the odds! Very few have the inner strength to do this, Saru!
ReplyDeleteA wonderfully moving post. What a strong woman your friend is.
ReplyDeleteA good tribute to your friend sharing her sorrow...she indeed a brave woman.
ReplyDeletebeautiful... how absolutely beautiful your poem is. It's inspring to read about their stories and how they have overcome the challenges.
ReplyDeleteWow! Her story is so heartbreaking, yet so inspirational. More power to her and every woman in the world. So beautifully you have penned it, Saru. :)
ReplyDeleteI remember reading that poem of yours. It was very touching and sad.
ReplyDeleteThis one is even more touching but it's not sad, and since it's on a true story, that's a welcome change.
"Her husband did die, but she was dead" is reminiscent of the emotion transpired in your earlier work and it's the most beautiful line of the poem.
Great to know about a Phoenix in a beautiful poetic way!
What a beautiful poem. God bless your friend.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful and touching Saru
ReplyDeleteWell written.
ReplyDeleteFilled with emotion.
God bless her and beautiful poem! Very Touching :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful poem. God bless her. Salute to the brave girl for fighting hard against the odds! Very few have this courage and the inner strength to do this, Saru ji
ReplyDeleteSad story. Happy ending.
ReplyDeleteMy salutes to the mother and to you for your empathy.
:)
Poignant and beautiful
ReplyDeleteMay she get the best in life. Truly inspiring Saru. Very well written.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes to your friend and such a touching post Saru. Salute to her and everyone who never give up :)
ReplyDeleteAll words fall...... A very inspiring poem, Saru. A heartfelt salute to the spirit....
ReplyDeleteTruly inspiring and yes life's a test and gives opportunities in the form of difficulties, problems and shocks. Those who face and get through these times, do succeed in making their and other's lives better.
ReplyDeleteThis was so inspiring!!!!!! I am sure that she never knew that she had the power and the courage to rise like a phoenix....but she did. We all have the power.
ReplyDeleteThis was beautiful.
More and more strength to your friend...Her life is no less than an inspiring story..
ReplyDeletebeautifully penned!!
ReplyDeleteI had goosebumps reading this and a lump in my throat....why God to be wise thou rob us of the happiness?
ReplyDeleteOne of the best way one can tribute :)
ReplyDeleteInspiring post indeed ! Life is how you see it and not how situations make them !
ReplyDeleteA brave woman ... May God give her more and more and more! And such a wonderful poem Saru...
ReplyDeleteGod Bless Her For Next Journey
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Very nice poem for her.. May she always be strong and happy..
ReplyDeleteShe stands tall and forever will :)
ReplyDeletelovely tribute Saru !!
moving and inspiring :)
ReplyDeleteTouched my heart very deeply. Hats of to your friend and you for being there for her!
ReplyDeleteTouching and motivating !! Well penned :)
ReplyDeleteVery sad... I have a far relative who lost her husband and stood strong for her daughter.. Salute to all the mothers!
ReplyDeleteVery moving lines. The tough really get going when the going gets tough. Only in hard times, does the real steel in a person comes out.
ReplyDeleteSalute to your friend's courage. May she be able to excel in everything that she does and may she be able to live to be an inspiration to many. It is when I hear story of such people that all those not so trivial problems of life seem so meaningless.
ReplyDeleteNicely penned Saru :-) Only the strong can rise from nothing! Best wishes to your friend :-)
ReplyDeleteWow Saru! Your friend earned my respect, lots of good wishes and prayer for their wellbeing.... We all know blacks clouds would pass soon but those few days or months feel like a millennium... Sigh...
ReplyDeleteWonderful tribute Saru.. We need to appreciate those around us who are the real heroes in their lives.. :)
ReplyDeletelike your friend you also rose to pay tribute to her!! hats off to both of you!
ReplyDeleteI had tears flowing from my eyes reading this :'( While reading the first half...sad tears...and by the end happy tears....
ReplyDeleteA SALUTE to her!!
This is a wonderful tribute. Your friend is very courageous.
ReplyDeleteAccept my salute too...
ReplyDelete@Everyone - Thank you so much for reading! :)
ReplyDeleteThis is the best poem of yours I have read, Saru. Reads like you are feeling very strong, too, while thinking of your friend's accomplishment. Do tell her I wish her all the best, and that I find her inspiring. As I do your poem :-)
ReplyDeleteI will pass it on and thank you so much for a heart warming comment. :)
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