After You.

By Saptarshi Chakraborty

Earlier these were castles where our legacies used to thrive, 

Now they're just some brick enclosures, barely I survive. 

These vibrant walls resonated with the radiance of our lives, 

The blue walls now are the oceans of gloom, every single day I dive. 

When they placed you at the front yard in the stretcher for all to peep, And you're laying so calm like a sleeping beauty enjoying your eternal sleep. I sat beside and stared and caressed and for your promise to keep— I sat unphased, even smiled a bit for you'd never see me weep. 

When I returned after your funeral it was already half past twelve: I gathered your books and your glasses from the bed and placed 'em on the shelf, I made ourselves some dinner and prepared our usual bed for two— Like a responsible husband I did everything just the way I used to do. 

You left like a princess in complete glory with the neighborhood praising your name. You left like a bride in your bridal attire with the relatives crying your name. You left like the fantasy of the popular girl when she enters the college gate... You left just the way you told me you wished to on your last checkup date. 

When we vowed to walk every road together was this road missed in the prayers? That you freed yourself and burdened me alone with the remaining days' affairs. So why did you have to leave me behind like a useless settled residue... In this hollow hell of bricks and stones cause you took my "home" away with you? 

By Saptarshi Chakraborty