My Mother-2 Poem by Smrui Ranjan Mohanty

MY MOTHER-2

ମୋ ବୋଉ

Minutes and hourshave passed
Since you left this world
Where you were my mother
I was your erring son
The situation has not changed
The same darkness all over
No trace of the sun as yet

When I look at your room
Where you recited and let us listen to
Most of the mythologies including
The epics Ramayan and Mahabharat
Among your listeners
I am probably the lone survivor
I see that empty cot
Where we had shared so much time
So much of love, life and smile
Where you used to sit and sleep
Wherefrom you shower on all of us
Your love and affection
Guidance and concern

Since the last five and a half years
You were confined to bed
But you were always lively
And full of grace
When l met you last
I could never think
Your days were numbered
And I will lose you,
My heaven on earthforever

Since months
I was feeling restless
I used to get up from sleep
And feel a sad melancholy deep within
A fear constantly haunted me
As if I was going to lose something precious
Something very special, very different
Something more than me and my life
Nothing can be as precious as you, my mother
My heart and soul, life and breath
My earth below and sky over

Now It is all over
My relationship with you for years
Ended in ashes and smokes
Tell me! how can I live
The rest of my life
When there is no you, my mother?

Smruti Ranjan Mohanty