Rama Balasubramanian Poet Free verse

Life Is Breath

"Breathing non-stop have you given it a second thought?"
           "Have no ego. You are nothing without air"
                  - Quote by Author
                       ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Frantic phones to hospitals
       No bed anywhere
                Oxygen was in short supply

I saw him gasping to  breathe
        He was dying in front of me,
               I witnessed helplessly

Didn't call neighbors 
       Who will help a home quarantined corona patient?
               What can anybody do?

A big gasp and he was gone
             Officials came, took his body away

Alone staring at walls 
      I cried, cried and cried 
            all by myself

How will I tell my son,
      now at my sister's place,
             that his father is dead?

How will I bring him up alone?
       Wish I were working...

I remembered how in darkness of night
       He would whisper in my ears "I love you"
                That love gone forever

That murmur in low voice early mornings
        careful son should not wake up
                  Now who will love him that way?

He would often say " Don't worry! Enjoy life."
        If only he had been more careful and cautious
                 If only he had not gone out

I dawned to me
     We are not the brain we are proud of
           nor the heart that can be replaced
                neither other body organs not visible
                       nor the body parts we can see

We can live sans every thing
       except breath

Once it stops, we are gone!
               Others look at our body with a sigh

Breath is  life
         Breath is everything
                 We are nothing without air

Phone rings. It is my sister
       I lift the phone up and tell her
                  "I am a widow"

 "Mom how will we manage." I heard my crying son utter
         Said "Don't worry, have faith in God. Mom is educated"
                    But I was not sure, not confident

Body numb, mind blank, still in shock I sat staring at darkness around 
         aware the light of my life is gone forever
                    struggle for survival has just begun

29.04.2021
Contest Name : Writing Prompt - Breathe
Sponsor : Constance La France

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Constance La France May 10, 2021 at 1:51 PM Rama, congratulations on your win in my Writing Prompt - Breathe - Challenge with this beautifully penned and emotional poem, it touched my heart, well done, peace _Constance Rama Balasubramanian May 11, 2021 at 4:28 AM Thanks for the wonderful prompt which gave me an opportunity to create a poem with a message. Thanks for your help too. You are a wonderful judgeand a great person and poet. Take care, God bless!

Malabika Ray Choudhury May 9, 2021 at 3:13 PM Dear Rama, You have successfully created the picture of a family going through the worst situation. It is heartbreaking, but I understand - it can be real. Congratulations on your top placement. Your comment on my poem is touching. Thank you. Love ~ Mala Rama Balasubramanian May 11, 2021 at 4:24 AM Thanks Mala. Take care, God bless!

Darlene De Beaulieu April 29, 2021 at 11:46 AM Hello Rama, wow! A great write.I see why you wrote these verses down. thes things do happen every day. Blessings my friend. Darlene De Beaulieu April 30, 2021 at 10:31 AM Hello Rama, well i do think you have done a good job of it. right you are pictures can not really show the beauty of nature. You take care to my friend. I like your style in poetry. Blessings my friend. Rama Balasubramanian April 29, 2021 at 11:56 AM Just to make people read and understand the need to take care. I uploaded a picture from my bedroom in my poem nature from my bedroom. Picture can never be as beautiful as real, but wanted all to see. Thanks for your wonderful comments and visit. Take care, Rama

Unseeking Seeker April 29, 2021 at 8:26 AM What a brilliant write, Rama! So relevant in these times. Rama Balasubramanian April 29, 2021 at 9:03 AM Situation around prompted me to write this. Thanks for your wonderful comments. Take care. God bless!

Alexis Y. April 29, 2021 at 7:33 AM WoW! Rama, You used the chosen words to compose a sad and heartbreaking write. I hope this is just a fictional write for the contest. Congratulations in advance. Have a great day-Alexis Rama Balasubramanian April 29, 2021 at 9:05 AM It is fiction. Situation around prompted me to write this. People don't understand and go out that too without masks. You too enjoy your day. Take care, God bless!