Adieu

Darkness;  night has fallen.

In the distance, thunder rolls.

It is louder now; light flashes in the sky.

Rain pours.

I cannot hear anything but

The scream of the wind

And the screeching of the 

Lashing rains.

The thunder is louder now.

I am afraid. 

Lights have gone

In my master’s home.

I am alone in my cage.

I cannot hear anything

But the thunder; I am afraid.

I have to get out of my cage

And get to my master

To the warmth of his love

And the rug that I love. 

The thunder breaks my heart

I break out of my cage

I run to my master

But the door is closed. 

Where do I go, where do I 

Get away to?  I run, I run - 

I should have seen the well.

In the cold darkness

I think of my master

And I could feel his arms

Hugging me; he is kissing me. 

Looking up, I see the sky clearing up

The rains have stopped.

My master must be happy now

And dreaming of me in his sleep. 

******

Balachandran V, Trivandrum. 26.08.2019

Afterwards

The pain comes much later, first
in trickles, then in torrents
Washing off, cleansing
Wounds, hurts, the memories
The thoughts of should-haves
and should-have-nots.

First to heal are those
festering, anger for
What they did -
and did not.

Then, those of regret
of what you did -
and did not.

Then, like a sunbeam
breaking out through the clouds
The realization that everything
carried the fragrance of love
In spite of all
There was always love; love
lingering in the shadows.

Then comes peace
Within.

**** Bala Chandran, 24.07.2019

To Meera Nair, remembering your father, my friend, Murali Dharan

Painting: The death of Casamegas. Pablo Picasso