My departed sister “ MAMA”

My departed sister “ MAMA”

 

As a bolt from blue

my heart, the news slew

that my Mama is no more

with grievous sighs from heart’s core

moved, I to her residential tower

besieged by frenzied willpower.

Saw I to my harrowing horror

on my eyes with pain, pain-tinged blur

saw I Mama, sister darling

on an unnatural bed lying

Speechless, motionless

with tranquility and calmness

On her forehead glittering vermillion

on her forearms, bangles’ ornamentation,

her spouse, daughter, and near and dear

standing around her, worn out of tear,

demigods and our ancestors from up above

waiting to welcome her with love

my little sister is in deep slumber

with mortal remains of fire, earth, air, water, and ether.

younger to me by one and a half a decade

to her bier with quivering legs, I could wade

through the dense, profusely mourning neighbors

to prostrate before  her despite being much older

as her divine soul is sure to be on its way

to merge with the Lord, ending her earthly role play

thwarting the tears flowing like torrential rain

with sighs and gratitude praises that, us, reign.

 

The Hindu philosophy speaks at a pitch loud

Such heavenly death masks the departing soul, proud

on her certain journey towards the liberation

the place of the human pursuit’s dreamt destination.

Deserves her soul a place in the Lord's abode

with her noble deeds, the ocean of pain she has rowed

her role play, she did it with a touch of divinity

that I vouch before the Lord with authenticity.

As an infant, she was a lovely toy

as tiny tots for us, to tease her was our joy,

at her adolescence to us, exceptional was her respect

to her in-laws’ house, she was an asset.

to neighbors and society, she was a harbinger of heaven

to her hubby and daughter she was a tree of Eden.

After marriage, her conduct in her in-laws’ house

and at alien cultures while moving with her spouse

draw they, all unequivocal accolades

possible it is only because of her divinized crusades

Of her conjugal harmony, society speaks, high

at such tragic interruption with pain, we all sigh.

As Soubhagylaxmi, she proved her name true

that in her vermillion and bangles’ glitters, we view.

Hey Mams! As a frenzied elder brother,

thus tells my broken heart seeing you on a bier.

Aspired I, dreamt I to get your service and smile

to soothe my heart  and make my living worthwhile

Hey Time!  Hey Destiny, are you robbers, brutal?

or are you merciful to save her from this lifer’s bitter battle

Never do we think our motherly wombs are different

as your mother and my Mushi apa has made me, man, present

I am not your cousin, but a brother

that no public, no language could alter.

You like your other siblings carry your mother’s touch

My tears restrain me on my gratitude to elaborate much.

Hey Lord! Your Holy Gita says life is repeated

I prqay time to fleet fast to return the days, blessed.

Pray I destiny to take care of your health then

Hey Lord! Please ensure these reunions again and again

Then I shall never tease Mama with embarrassing funs

fooling her, to her mother, complaining, tearful runs

On my college vacation, I shall never give her my clothes to clean

I shall carry to her pleasure gifts umpteen.

Hey Masma,your sweet Gandhianana call, I shall again get

that I longed ever, and will try to be never in your debt.

This year in Rakshi bundun, after Kuni left us

“I felt immense pain “, was it for this event, obnoxious?

Dance all the incidents involving you for years

pinrk my heart, pinch my emotions for old age tears.

Our Ranihat Sagadfia sahi  assembly with you

your service to me peep in me as younger sister true.

Reminisce I with nostaligia the day

to embarrass you my brotherly play

with your delicious food to make you overeat

and before Ap0a and Piusa, enjoying your vomit.

Float your smiling face

affectionate tender grace

to me with your love and respect

at these, my heart gets wrecked

Miss I will and so also your fands numerous

on Facebook, your sweet posting and snaps, glorious.

Hey Mama, remember we  your claim

to be one among your parents and four siblings photo frame.

that present art can well make

but “ It could not be done” in me the tyhoughts acre.

Hey Jadu dear! Pray, I for your strength to bear

the shock of life missing in life, your love, dear

It is destiny’s say

that none can keep at bay

but wish peace, bliss, and rest for her

She has gone out of hr physical pain and torture.”

Hey, Pooja You are at Mama’s heart!

Wherever she may be, you, her blessings can never part

Practice her advice in words and deeds

our blessings are always with yuou for all your needs.

Hey Minadei, Sarat Kuni, Gagan  let us bid her our farewell

for next reunion let her in our hearts lovingly dwell.

Hey Mama! Pray we all in unison

your near and dear neighbor and society in common

for your happiness, peace, and bliss

with sincerity from heart’s abyss.

 

 

P K Routray

In the service of the Lord

 

( Mama is my sister. Her other name is Soubhagt Laxmi. We lost her on 15 th Dec 2025.)