Sudden departure.... ; 12 June 2024

"SUDDEN DEPARTURE..."

--“Might be snuff'd out this life any passing day :

Suddenly all might be gone in a deathly foray…”

    ---From my poem “Fond la Digue,” written on 3 June, 2001

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Persistent visions flashing on insistently,

Charting out the paths incessantly,

Pointing out the pitfalls, the traps,

The snags, the dangers…

Making the final trip,

Knowingly going forth to meet the end,

The final day being beyond control,

Visioning the final moments…

Stretch’d out on the longish couch,

Looking at the heavens,

The near stars,

At some diffus’d light.

White clothes around.

Knowing full well that the end be nigh :

Rampaging uproar be guaranteed…

Surging gore pressure,

Rising in a final devastation,

Beyond control,

Splitting channels that resist’d for long,

Laying waste to the unique rarity…  

Minute inspections and examinations,

Chats and prodding,

Every composition,

Every utterance to dissect :

Too late, too late for all…

But, the job hath been done,

The job hath been done…

‘Tis all on the cards…

Hopefully the cards be secure…

The scribbling should travel far and wide,

Beyond control,

Beyond damage…

Belat’d will be the attention,

For, such be the destiny…

Yet, the hints be splash’d all over

Far and wide,

For lasting memory…

The final rest, final looks,

Brief ones,

Unchanging chats,

Rituals,

Afore the fiery extinction.

The usual chants,

The regular motions…

The scene might look familiar :

But, it be unique…

Slow progress towards the fiery place,

Rolling on to the hidden,

Or cart’d on to the open.

Some progress…

The ultimate trip,

Afore total extinction…  

Experiences to be hotly reviv’d,

But, too late,

Too late…

The job hath been done…

The rarity came,

Rul’d,

Conquer’d,

And depart’d…

But, his rule be ever lasting…

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Soman Ragavan

13 June, 2024

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