Awake in Amma's Memories

The silence of a dead person

Screams into my sleepless nights

Little films of her life

Play a muted show in my head.

Reality stabs a dull, permanent heartache

Into the cliches of old books I've read--

All stand true about death.

Regret, gratitude, the unknown,

Loss and shattered lives--

All haunt me in solitude.

The physical nothingness is a mere catalyst

To her voice that told tales of yore, of morality.

My mind softens the blow with delusion--

"She's only gone a while".

My heart retorts, throbbing--

"Why is she gone even a while?"

I am treading a path I have not yet found

Of the loss of the few left behind.

I have realised hopelessly--

Torment of death is lifelong.