Malvika Shanker Poet Blank verse

Heart Rendering

(I'm into a little bit of social service because of which I got a chance to visit a psychiatric center yesterday.  This poem is my personal experience)

Walking into the campus, I could feel the difference
Some strange but true smiles came for my welcome
Inspite of the smiles on their faces
I could feel their pain
Those smiles were the most genuine ones I had ever seen
No manipulation and no diplomacy
Just a crystal clear emotion.

After a few formalities, I went for a stroll
The very first view of the wards made me stop
I stopped at the door itself
To thank God for giving me a chance to do something for them
Someone came close to me and said-
"Have you come to meet me?
Are you my grand daughter? "

Before I could answer, he hugged me tight
Bestowed on me all the blessings
Then stepped in the nurse
Asking him to leave me...
Telling him that I was not his family
He pushed me away
With that unexplainable expression on his face

And I did nothing but stare at him
With tears in my eyes, somehow controlling myself
I held his hand and told him-
"I'm not your grand daughter, 
But I have come to meet all of you, 
I want to become your friend, 
Will you be my friend? "

After a few reluctant looks
And some casual talks
Within some 10 minutes
We had become the best of friends.
Their kiddish games, their silly jokes
Their sad stories, their tears
Were all mine now.

Playing with them for sometime, 
Talking to them, smiling with them
And most importantly hiding my tears
The hours flew by unnoticed
It was time for me to leave
With a heavy heart I bid them goodbye
And there was a shower of blessings again...

As I was moving towards the exit
Thoughts flowed through my mind-
What was their mistake? 
Why do people illtreat them? 
Can't we give them a happy environment? 
Why don't we care for them? 
How do we expect them to live? 

Another thing that I felt was gratitude
Gratitude for the family members of such people
Their struggle is way beyond what we can imagine
They deserve a special applaud
Great are those, who don't let humanity die
They are true inspirations
And God's most loved children. 

This poem is a humble request
A request for all
Please don't leave such people in a mess
All they need is your love and care
If you can't keep them properly
Contact some people who can help them
But don't kill them while they are still alive....

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Skat A February 20, 2015 at 11:34 PM Hi Malvika, WOW! explosive.... thank you for sharing, SKAT Malvika Shanker February 21, 2015 at 1:34 AM Thank you SKAT. :-)

Tiffany Von Tungeln February 20, 2015 at 6:04 PM This was touching. Loved it :) Malvika Shanker February 21, 2015 at 1:34 AM Thank you. :-)

Njeri Hunjeri February 20, 2015 at 9:48 AM Thank you Malvika for reminding us of people who tend to be neglected so often. Keep up the good job. And keep telling of such stories that's how some of us will learn and DO. Blessings Malvika Shanker February 21, 2015 at 1:36 AM Your most welcome. :-) I'm glad I'm getting a positive response to it. Social responsibility is an issues of great seriousness. Thanks for your support. :-)

Jan Allison February 20, 2015 at 9:47 AM such a powerful write - when mum was in a in old people's home for 6 weeks I took her out every day - seeing the look on the other residents face spoke volumes - they get so few visitors it is heart breaking - sadly we are going to have to consider a home for mum but i will still visit most days and take her out - help her remain independent and not institutionalised :-) Hugs Jan xx 7 xx Malvika Shanker February 21, 2015 at 1:41 AM Thank you. :-) Please make sure you don't leave your mum to find her family in unknown people. God bless you. Take care of her. Give her a tight hug on my behalf. :-)