The Dwindling Gasps

The cold wind blows as we ring the bell-

Which feels as if death lingers right outside the doorstep and knocks to come in. 

We know there is a soul inside ready to join the Creator,

Ready to leave this world of suffering.

As we proceed to see that soul right now gasping-

Gasping for the world's precious air-

Holding on to loved ones and more living moments;

The soul knows deep inside that the clock is ticking.

The heavy breaths take me back to the hospital room 17 months ago-

Where I got used to hearing that sound for a few days,

And sat with my birth giver, looking at her mouth open and shut,

Occasionally looking down to the Exam papers I was scoring.

I never knew that the seventh day in that room would be the day to pack up-

Yet go back home without its homemaker.

How would I know that that day she raised her hand in Hallelujah 

She would go to the realm of eternal praise and keep singing forever!

The agony this infectious disease causes is unfathomable-

Yet the sufferers are warriors with breastplates of faith and will power.

Ever since that day, the trauma of dwindling gasps follows me

Each time I see someone fighting for life. 

As I stand in the corridor of this home today,

I know that, everyone knows that the hours are counted-

The hours to care for this person who is wheezing on

Till this human also shall leave the earthly abode. 

Each passing brings back floods of memories of her last gasp-

Those heavy sounds slowly stopping, never to call me by name again. 

Each funeral procession reminds me of that day

I last saw her in her bridal attire, with so much aura and grace.

It makes me stop and wonder if my end is going to be so

Having said goodbye to my own blood to this deadly sickness;

Praying that I do not waste the chances I have now

And live each moment like it is my last. 

It is true when they say that when your dear one passes,

Your heart keeps wondering on things Above. 

True it is that the only real asset you can have on earth ain't riches,

But the surety that your children will also be with you in Paradise one day.

The Hope we have is worth fighting this fight called life-

So we can see them once again. 

The Faith we have alone can keep us living on-

Till the day our breath dwindles and fades into nothingness. 

- Remya Rachel Thomas