In Silence I Prostrate Before Thee

Prof. Purushotham Lal

(August 28, 1929 - November 3, 2010)

My fingers pause – hover over the keyboard –

What can I write – when my heart is frozen –

In sorrow!

In my ears reverberate your deep, gruff voice –

complimenting me -

I remember I couldn’t thank you –

How do this humble mortal thank

What words could express

This ultimate happiness!

What am I before you, Sir?

In my book your calligraphic writing -

You wrote my name!

You made me immortal!

Let me stop here.

I cannot stand the clicking of the keys

Anymore.

*********** Balachandran V, Trivandrum 08-11-2010

Prof. P Lal, publisher of my collection of poems, ‘Signs of Love’ passed away on 3^rd November 2010. I came to know about it just now. Those who love English and Indian writing in English will never forget him; many are the writers who were nurtured by Prof. Lal; many of the greatest names. I can only thank whatever coincidences that made up my life for providing me with a chance of being noted by him, being one of his children.

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http://www.merinews.com/article/p-lal-the-legendary-indian-poet-an-obituary/15834526.shtml

http://vidyanjali.blogspot.com/2006/01/meeting-professor-p-lal_23.html

http://www.thestatesman.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=347509&catid=73

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/P._Lal