Forgiveness Poem by Ravi Kopra

I do not remember what it was
but it angered you so much
when I was in the junior high
that you said -
I know how much you love me
I now when I die, you will come
to the cremation grounds in the
morning to defecate on my ashes.

Mom, I've flown here from the USA
I am collecting your ashes
in a large silver vase, and putting
your large bones in a sack made
of silk shining like gold
I will let them sail in the holy
river Ganges at a ghat in Haridwar
when I wake up in the morning.

I ask for forgiveness for
what I said to you eons ago in my
foolishness you could not take.