On Death

By Rakhitha P

I'm familiar with the lie,

The lie that you never die until the last breath.

I don't believe it. I take care not to.

Any hope - the slightest sliver of it;

Has a hold on me that I cannot ignore.

This love, this grief-

I have no place to keep it. No person to hold it.

My heart heavy from the grief

Hanging off my soul,

("Do they notice? Do they realize?")

It's a noose around my neck.

It's something in my throat,

And now my words are rushed

As the grief takes over, and my heart cries-

For it can't breathe.

For it can't breathe, and now I'm on my knees, 

As I cry, "Let me breath, Let me live" 

And I plead, "Let me go, Let me free".

Wouldn't you take pity on this child and let her go?

By Rakhitha P