The Last Words Poem by lalitha iyer

Before he spoke the heart out
he was no more;
he flew away to lands unknown
his eyes now bear no more
the dear look that shone afore.

Before the lips could utter a syllable
the lungs went numb and heart heaved unavailable;
she knelt beside to sketch the smile
or tear that moistened his cheeks awhile
Alas, he took his expressions to invisible miles.

Before she smelt that here he escapes
into a world of untouchable shapes
there he lost his sex and shine
his touch and taste and look and life
she welled his words unspoken-she his wife

So swift do things move around
like magic wands, gods im-mobolise us, unsound
we like gods sprout and sermon the poor around
and learn to unlearn the kindness mother's milk has strewn
till death whispers and dears disappear all clueless and strawn.