Grasping death
By Meghna Pranesh Badami
Before you begin reading this piece, you need to know why it was written: I wrote it the night one of our college seniors passed away. I didn't know him personally, but I still hurt. Writing this helped allow myself to grieve.
This is a tribute to him and his memories:
I didn't know you,
But your absence leaves a void,
As deep as the pits of Tartarus.
I can only imagine how much more painful,
It is for those who did.
I didn't know you,
But I shed silent tears,
On behalf of those who possibly can't quite down.
Because you left them too suddenly,
Like a lost puzzle piece that can't be ever found:
Their impeccable picture will never be the same again.
I didn't know you,
But I saw your infectious smiles,
On stages, with friends and as we passed each other in the wards.
The marvelous things they say about you,
Makes me wonder why I was never acquainted with you before.
I didn't know you,
But the screams I heard when I came to say goodbye,
Left me almost paralyzed. And I still lie here,
Not knowing what to say or do to quieten those deafening screams:
Maybe those who did know you will always hear them in the background,
Till one day they accept, but can never forget.
I didn't know you,
But when I came to say the Last Goodbye,
It felt eerie: for what's a goodbye without ever saying hello?
And I'm sorry that I almost didn't come,
Too scared to face your disfigured face.
But I'm glad I did.
Because hundreds, if not thousand silent prayers were breathed this morning.
And thousands more will be.
Till this institution is certain,
That you now are on a path to a better, more beautiful place:
One that can still never be worthy of your being.
By Meghna Pranesh Badami
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