The Inevitable

Written by Kasturika De

Last night, I held him tight.
The images abandoned their count,
And the psalms I read 
Had no rhythm instilled.

Contours of darkness
Pressed my eyes shut.
I found it coming close,
Closer, and closer still.

No way to cheat 
The cold — a parasite.
The tunes of evening 
Fading… fainting.

My heart beats on.
The rhythm—calm,
Hoping the melody 
Won’t lose its soul and pause.

To take a pause 
I frankly never thought.
Not even now, until—
“Kamala.”
The cry rang sharp.

The eyes made me realise 
It was for me.
The call, the name—
All of it was mine.

Burst into tears 
On my chest,
Holding me tight;
Someone had just entered.

It was Mr. D:
Statistical, merciless, impatient,
Unavoidably handsome,
Ignorant of the door behind; not my soul.

“Your last rites are close.
No wishes to make?
Let’s leave, then.”
Now I was done, I knew.

‘Cause his eyes made it clear;
Not at all.
But wait—how did I know,
When the rhythm paused?

How did I see 
The tears, lying to me?
The noises roared 
And I heard, standing blank.

Motionless.

My consciousness killing me.
Gossips and rumoured tales 
Strangling, waiting for my move.

Now, he comes closer,
Holds me by the wrist,
Pulls me to a million light years 
Away, and far away…