I Still Have Your Letters Poem by PADMINI DUTTA SHARMA

I still have those letters
That set me out of my fetters
Pages have gone yellow
The ink a little mellow
Your words talk to me
Unheard, unseen!

The first arrived on the 9th of May
Our postman gave a smile to say
‘This is the beginning my dear
Pain will follow you year after year.”

I was watching the empty nest
Wondering how the mother felt
After her babies flew out in jest.

My heart was throbbing
Fear and fever engulfing
I shut the door
Bolted from inside
Opened and read
Everything went over my head

Ma came knocking
I didn’t feel like eating
I slept with your letter
It made me feel better

I have all of them
Piled with that red ribbon
Scented and dry they smell
I shall carry them till the ring of my knell

Often hear them say
Old must make way
Smile while the new make hay
Knowing that’s a sugar coated lie

Married and settled
Grand children cradled
My passion remains unabated

Your feelings hasn’t died
I know you often cried
The day I went to hospital
You flew down to the capital

I see you in papers
Your beard looks great
Your eyes still glimmer
But you look a little pale
What do the cardiologist say
Would we survive till May?