Don't Weep Over My Bones - A Poem

 

Don't Weep Over My Bones!

I was what I was, a person that lived my life.

There were those who criticised me, but I

Still lived on! I strived to my level best,

And did what I could for those I loved.

Life was a gift, something that I celebrated,

I could not, unfortunately please everyone, though

I tried! I strived and worked to the best of my abilities.

I was tired and exhausted when I came home from work.

Life was an adventure, sometimes great, sometimes not

So great. But, I could not please everyone. Now that I

Am gone, don't remember me for my faults. Appreciate

The efforts I put in, for me and my loved ones!

Don't weep over my bones, for I was more than them.

I was but an ordinary mortal struggling through the 

Times, I fell and got up, sometimes with help and

Sometimes without help. But then I did my best!

If these lines were to be my epitaph, do read these

Lines and think, I was just like you, in life and in

Sleep. For life is just a phase, or is it so? But hope

Did dwell in me. And I write these lines for you!

For we all share in the same end, Dust to dust,

Ashes to ashes, and all it ends in memories so

Vague, etched in the minds of those we loved, or

Those who hated. Remember me if you like!

For where I end is where you you end, the true

Destiny! We all live a short life, but one that might

Be blessed, or not so! If you remember me, then

I salute you, for bones may crumble but memories don't!

From Me From Me - Lines from Beyond Time

For Me From Me By Rabindranath Tagore

From Me From Me

A Simple headstone if you must

An Arrow pointing to the dust

Saying, "There lies a man."

No name, please, for passers by

Let them wonder who I was.

Some liked me, others not

But what I was is what you got!!

In my life, I gave my all.

Many bent, but I stood tall.

Don't waste time on empty tears

I enjoyed all the years.

Maybe sometimes the path was rough.

I tripped and rose 'cos I was tough

Never bothered about the shove

In return, I offered love.

Love lies in the mind

And, like they say, love is blind.

It doesn't matter what you do,

As long as your heart is true.

Never bother what people think,

You're here, you're gone; in just a blink.

So stranger, as you pause awhile

Stop and give a little smile

What I am now is what you'll be!!

Lucky if you're a memory.

These lines touch me whenever I visit the old graveyard in Civil Lines, Gurgaon. They speak from beyond time, and they seem to be among the most powerful lines I have read! They speak loudly of life and death. The lines don't mince words, nor do they gloss over life.

These lines are inscribed on a gravestone in one of the oldest graves in Gurgaon. This is the reality of life, dust to dust, ashes to ashes we end up in. These lines are inscribed on a gravestone, and what touched me is that the inscriber did not want his name on it. Whenever I visit this rather ancient graveyard in the civil lines, I am transported into another world. We recently buried our mother, Mrs. Ivy Lal, a very strong and spiritual lady who passed away at the ripe age of 86 years. She started her prime life in Ethiopia and was the anchor of our family. But what touched me most were the words on another gravestone. While most of us slip into nothingness, a few of us are remembered, and, sure, in this short life we live, lucky are we if we are remembered! 

The lines on the gravestone state, "Don't waste time on empty tears." In any case, She/He lived and "enjoyed all the years". People will speak all things about you, but it doesn't matter as long as "your heart is true". So as a stranger, "Stop and give a little smile" for "what I am is what you'll be! Such powerful words state the reality of life and death. I don't really know who the author of these lines was, but all I know is that the lines spoke to me from beyond the grave, beyond time, an inspiration and an advice for all of us who live!

This post is a tribute to the person who dared to write these lines on his gravestone! Well, indeed, this poem was written by Rabindranath Tagore in his poem, "For Me From Me."

Celebrating the Easter at the Church of the Epiphany

Today, we celebrated the day of the Resurrection with great joy at the Church of the Epiphany, Gurgaon. It was a day of renewed hope for all those who were present. The celebration of Easter marked the end of the Lenten season. The Presbyter in charge, Revd. Prateek Pillai reiterated the theme of the Lenten season when he spoke about the need to be Christlike and to imbibe the qualities of humbleness, service, and forgiveness throughout one's lifetime.

In his message to the faithful, Revd. Prateek Pillai reminded the gathering about the message of renewal brought about by the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. He talked about how Mary Magdalene might as well have been the first Apostle who was the first to spread the news of the Resurrection. He described how two disciples rushed to the tomb to check on the remains, only to find it empty except for some cloths. He also described how the Apostle John was given the duty of looking after Mary as his mother, and Mary the duty of being a mother to John.

It was indeed a joy to see that the church was packed to its pews with the members of the congregation. There was an atmosphere of joy in all those who were present. After the end of Mass, there was a fellowship get-together in the church lawns where everyone exchanged pleasantries.