In a poignant and evocative verse, Dr. Amrinder talks of death wish, exclusively for Different Truths.

What can life give me beyond death
And that,
I accept with peace and gratitude.
But when I die, don’t burn
My beloved trees, to burn my body
Why kill these noble souls for the dead?
Just as I electrified you when I lived
Let the
Electric crematorium does that for me now.
Like my mortal remains in it fiery mouth
Let your grudges and grouses go up in smoke!
Don’t say, ‘What a wonder person she was’ if
You never said so when I was alive.
Don’t shed tears for me now, my dears if,
You never shared my sorrows, while I lived.
Just remember the good times we had
As I, look forward to, good times ahead.
A traveler, I have always been at heart
And now, I get to see the Great Beyond.
I travel light, without baggage, of remorse
Regret and rancour and, ask the same of you.
And please
No chants, for the salvation of a soul that
Has been eternally set free from bondage.
Don’t fatten further, the fat bellies of priests
Instead, restore the earth to her former glory.
If you love mother nature as I’ve loved her
Your love for me will live on forever.
Keep me in your hearts and memories
Not, in dusty albums, piled up in attics.
And if you really want to please me now
Be kind to those who need compassion
But dare not beg for, so precious a gift
For,
It was the one thing I valued above all.

Picture Design by Anumita Roy, Different Truths

Dr. Amrinder Kaur Bajaj

Dr Amrinder Kaur Bajaj is a senior gynaecologist, an award-winning author, columnist, and poetess. She also writes editorials for newspapers like The Times of India, Tribune and India Express. At present, she is attached to FMRI (Fortis Memorial Research Institute) Gurgaon. She also teaches Minimally Access Surgery to national and international postgraduate doctors at The Medicity Gurgaon.