To You, From My Grave

By Anurag Mahato

With naked feet;

Traceless upon the gravelled path.

I shall pursue you;

As you from my grave depart.

You’ll hail a bustling blue bus;

I’ll ride on the wintry morning breeze.

Our eyes aligned across the window;

My spirit contained within a draft of spinning leaves.

Hours stretching into days bleak;

Our Camellias on the balcony grow dim.

Your reminiscence of me plaguing you;

Into sleepless nights and void within.

In circumstances such, I hereby promise:

My essence I shall bind to your shadow.

And rejuvenate our favoured flowers foremost;

With fresh dews raised from tomorrow.

When you fall to slumber from thoughts weary,

I shall occupy the recliner once adored.

Skimming through books from shelves abandoned;

Straightening creases on each page, just like before.

All this and more I shall shoulder for thee;

Till you’re prepared to relinquish this ghost of me.

Love,

Dad.

By Anurag Mahato