Last Token
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
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