Get Your Premium Membership

Last Token

Poet's Notes
(Show)

Become a Premium Member and post notes and photos about your poem like Malabika Ray Choudhury.


my mother had two tokens she never parted with - a book containing music notations, and a flute, made of brass. her favourite book had her name handwritten on the cover, and the unadorned flute had a name engraved on it. she lost her brother when he was in his twenties, to tuberculosis, it was he who wrote her name on the cover, with calligraphic dexterity. he played music on the flute... mesmerizing audience with cadence of the melody while she sang and danced like a captivating fairy, until the disease took over, and one fateful day, he was gone. the flute remained with her.... the day she passed away. she asked me to open a sandalwood box, and there it was! The Flute! she touched it, caressed the name with her frail fingers, and closed her tired eyes. April 1, 2021 Inspired by " Last Token" Premiere Poetry Contest Sponsor: Mystic Rose Rose Placed Third

Copyright © | Year Posted 2021




Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem.

Please Login to post a comment

Date: 4/9/2021 11:09:00 AM
Mala, this incredible story of the enduring love of sister and brother grabbed me from the first two lines. You have beautifully conveyed the deep emotions of their story and touched our hearts with the love story it tells. Now you are part of the story not only as narrator but as keeper of their legacy. Congratulations on your win! Sending you blessings and much love.
Login to Reply
Ray Choudhury Avatar
Malabika Ray Choudhury
Date: 4/9/2021 4:15:00 PM
Dear Sam, I am so glad to share this poem with you. I feel rewarded that I had been able (to some extent) to express the extent of love and affection between the brother and the sister, which transcended death. It is a true story of a loving person I never met, but always imagined to be real. Actually my mother is the story-teller here. Love and best wishes, Mala
Date: 4/8/2021 11:46:00 PM
Mala this is a fabulous write! a poem so full of feelings and visuals! Incidentally my mother lost her brother to tuberculosis when he was 23. she spoke about him with tears in her eyes from time to time. I donated money on one of her birthdays to Tuberculosis charity which she handed herself through the Rotary! Congrats on your win! The picture you have added is just perfect
Login to Reply
Ray Choudhury Avatar
Malabika Ray Choudhury
Date: 4/9/2021 5:28:00 AM
Thank you, Krish. I am really touched to know that your mother went through the same sadness. What you did for her, was such a wonderful gesture. Appreciate your thoughtful comments. BW ~ Mala
Date: 4/8/2021 10:39:00 PM
So Touchy. I am whelmed. Congrats to win. Love.
Login to Reply
Ray Choudhury Avatar
Malabika Ray Choudhury
Date: 4/9/2021 5:25:00 AM
Thank you, Anisha. Really appreciate your kind words ~ Mala
Date: 4/8/2021 7:04:00 PM
Such wonderful treasured memories of your dear mother. Your poem was superb, thankyou for joining my contest. Congrats on your 3rd place win dear Malabika :)
Login to Reply
Ray Choudhury Avatar
Malabika Ray Choudhury
Date: 4/9/2021 5:24:00 AM
Thank you, Dear Poet. This memory is treasured in our family. Appreciate your kindness and deep understanding. BW ~ Mala
Date: 4/7/2021 3:53:00 PM
Just read your reply to me. So sad. I hope this one wins the contest!!
Login to Reply
Ray Choudhury Avatar
Malabika Ray Choudhury
Date: 4/7/2021 4:01:00 PM
Dear Andrea, it’s so sweet of you - you are one of those kindest souls we rarely meet. Love and hugs ~ Mala
Date: 4/3/2021 7:37:00 PM
Oh this so touching, Mala, love the story. good luck in contest.
Login to Reply
Ray Choudhury Avatar
Malabika Ray Choudhury
Date: 4/4/2021 4:22:00 AM
Thanks, Harry. Appreciate your encouraging comment. BW ~ Mala
Date: 4/3/2021 3:04:00 PM
This is from the heart. Cherished memories adorn your poem. Splendidly done, Mala.
Login to Reply
Ray Choudhury Avatar
Malabika Ray Choudhury
Date: 4/3/2021 4:44:00 PM
Thanks, Vijay. Really appreciate your inspiring comments.
Date: 4/3/2021 9:05:00 AM
Hi Malabika, What a moving and well-written, poignant write. The bond between the two siblings was evident in your write. You held my attention from the first word unto the last word. Best wishes in the contest. Have a great day:-) Alexis
Login to Reply
Ray Choudhury Avatar
Malabika Ray Choudhury
Date: 4/3/2021 9:25:00 AM
Hi Alexis, the theme of the contest brought this memory back to me. Really appreciate your reading my poem and leaving such a thoughtful comment. it's a sad story, but there is an underlying sweetness about a very close unforgettable relationship. BW ~ Mala
Date: 4/2/2021 2:26:00 PM
How beautifully expressed. A most moving story. I have clippers that were used by my grandfather and dad. I feel a sense of history when I use them.
Login to Reply
Ray Choudhury Avatar
Malabika Ray Choudhury
Date: 4/2/2021 2:44:00 PM
Thank you, Richard. Yes, very true. Tokens bring back memories and history. Every family has their own history - pleasant or sad. Doesn't it feel amazing to use the same clippers your dad and grandfather had used?
Date: 4/2/2021 1:06:00 PM
This seems too real to be fiction and seeing notes below, it looks like it's true. That makes it even more special. What a wonderful write about two tokens!
Login to Reply
Ray Choudhury Avatar
Malabika Ray Choudhury
Date: 4/2/2021 2:11:00 PM
It’s a true life-story, Andrea, although sounds like fiction. Glad you read it. My mother was nineteen, and her brother twenty-two, when he passed away. They were very close.
Date: 4/1/2021 9:17:00 PM
This is such an unforgettable tribute to both your mom and uncle. A heart-touching write. Best wishes dear Mala.
Login to Reply
Ray Choudhury Avatar
Malabika Ray Choudhury
Date: 4/2/2021 4:19:00 AM
Thank you, JCB. To me, the flute is symbolic of an unforgettable relationship. Love ~ Mala
Date: 4/1/2021 1:28:00 PM
Beautiful, Mala. It made me tear. Perhaps he has a new flute now and plays for your mother each day.
Login to Reply
Ray Choudhury Avatar
Malabika Ray Choudhury
Date: 4/1/2021 6:00:00 PM
Dear Ann, Thank you for reading my poem. The theme inspired me, and brought back a very special memory of my mother, and the token she cherished all her life. Love ~ Mala
Date: 4/1/2021 8:43:00 AM
Malabika, this is a sad...but poignant and beautiful write. You held me all the way 'til she "closed her tired eyes." Lovely tribute to your wonderful mother and her special love for her brother. The flute is so symbolic.
Login to Reply
Ray Choudhury Avatar
Malabika Ray Choudhury
Date: 4/1/2021 8:52:00 AM
Thank you, Milton. Your comment made me cry again .. for a young man, who I never met. Appreciate your inspiring words.
Date: 4/1/2021 8:05:00 AM
Oh, so sad yet so sweet expression of love between brother and sister. Beautifully done. Happy Easter.
Login to Reply
Ray Choudhury Avatar
Malabika Ray Choudhury
Date: 4/1/2021 8:08:00 AM
Thank you, Marilene. It's sad, but I often ponder about my mother's brother, who was an artist, and I never met. Happy Easter to you, Marilene.
Date: 4/1/2021 6:28:00 AM
Hello Mala, such a sad poem yet it does have good memories of your brother. Love, Friendship Darlene
Login to Reply
De Beaulieu Avatar
Darlene De Beaulieu
Date: 4/1/2021 11:10:00 AM
Hello Mala, he was also your uncle you never met. Do you have photos of him? Happy Easter. Enjoy your day my friend. Love ^& Friendship Darlene.
Ray Choudhury Avatar
Malabika Ray Choudhury
Date: 4/1/2021 7:19:00 AM
Dear Darlene, it is a sad memory from my mother's life. He was her brother, who passed away very young. Love, Friendship ~ Mala

Book: Reflection on the Important Things