Ruminating Over the Tragedies of Life- We need to stand like a Rock

G.Ranjitha Mary, the daughter of one of my colleagues in the university who is now retired, wrote the following poem, when her mother died in a midnight car accident. Around March 2002, I recorded this in my diary. While attempting to write to my youngest daughter, on the question of death, Ranjitha’s poem was prefaced.

Very recently one of my old students in Karaikal College, now settled at Pondicherry, lost his son in a road accident. It was only a few years ago he lost his wife. I have all the uneasiness and nervousness to go and see him in person and console him. I am not sure whether he has returned from Karaikal. Ranjitha’s poem must give him strength and make him survive.

“Human life is preciously fragile
Like the thinnest thread of pure silver
Wavering in the breeze
Like the tiniest flame
Flickering in the wind

Not once but twice has a thread been cut
A flame blown out
Once for a brother much loved and adored
Once for a mother sweet heart for all.
But human life is defiant
As mine now is.
I will survive, I know, I can
Shine as purely silver can
Blaze as brightly as fire does
Until my thread is cut
My flame blownout.”

Dear Sakthi, for your queries
And questions on death,
I have extensively quoted a poem
Composed by Ranjitha Mary, the
Only surviving heir of our professor
Colleague, who also happens to be
Our Association president.

Ranjitha is shattered, no doubt
By twin loss, first brother,
Later mother, but stubbornly strong
To survive with condour, courage
Without any rancour to any one.

Death does not discriminate between
The good and bad, young and old
Scholar and stupid, arrogant and mild
The unexpected tragedy,
An untimely Death of a kind soul,
A Helping soul
Benevolent and involved one too
Shook every one in the staff quarters
She made all the difference in life
By leading an active and productive life
While she was living.
From My Dateless Diary