The Extinguishing

By Dr Farah Memon

I blink my eyes, and there goes the light,

I open them wide, and it is somehow still night.

Blinded and scared in this dark abyss,

Thinking- how did this happen? What did I miss?

All of my memories came flooding back to me,

Glimpses of all that I had and all that was lost, I could see.

A hand that pulled me back before I could slip,

That moved away the obstacles before I could trip;

A smile so radiant that I wouldn't need the sun.

A spirit so pure, so giving, so loved by everyone.

And suddenly the hand pulled away,

I tried to reach it, to hold it, but it wouldn't stay;

And the farther it went, so went the light,

Leaving behind the darkness of this starless night.

So caught up I was in my own life,

Not noticing the steady passing of time,

It always revolved around me, my safety, my success; 

How did I not notice that faint mumble of distress?

As I was growing up, so was the sun,

Working harder, shining brighter to light up my day,

How did I not notice it slowly slipping away?

Or maybe I did but I refused to believe,

How something so bright can extinguish, I simply couldn't see.

Something so constant, so important as the air I breathe;

How can it be taken away? In turmoil, I seethed!

Why give it at all if it couldn't last forever?

Why make it so difficult to live without?

Why connect us so deeply and then rip us apart?

How will I now recover? Where should I start?

I looked up at the endless darkness,

And saw a faint glimmer - a little star

Reminding me that the sun is not gone, but is watching over me from afar.

So I blink my eyes again and it is still night.

Maybe it’s less dark, but it will never again be bright.

By Dr Farah Memon