Dr Molly’s poem explores a thrilling journey, but tragedy strikes when an air crash halts dreams, freezing hope, and revealing life’s fragility, exclusively for Different Truths.
On the verge
of a trip
to see,
observe
the world
in Europe,
busy packing,
mind brewing
with the
must be
requisites
on and off
the journey,
the sojourn,
expectations
soaring,
thrill of
anticipation,
mounting up,
sudden comes
the shocking
news!
the air crash
so horrific
atrocious
that takes away
human lives
so many in
number...
it freezes all
spirits!
wherein lies
the relevance of
calculations
human?
all hopes, dreams
burnt to
ashes in a
hapless moment!
how many a
pulsating heart
strung on
compulsions
immediate
demolished
traceless...
there in the
group
was our girl,
the hope of her household,
working as
nurse in the UK
the one prop and
support
of a family, slogging
staggering
on its feet...
how many
more, such
lost, lost for
ever...
I pack up
things
my spirits
frozen...
daughter
calls up
' mamma, your flight,
Air India?'
stoic comes
my answer
evasive,
'dear, remember
the song
I often
sang for you...
" whatever,
will be
will be"
we just the
hanging puppets
tethered to
uncertainty
that hovers...
Picture design by Anumita Roy
Dr Molly Joseph, a bilingual professor and poet from Kerala, has published 26 books, including 18 poems, two novels, and two storybooks for children. She has edited “A Handbook of Contemporary Ethics” and works for values, global peace, and togetherness. Dr Joseph has won national and international accolades and represents India at SAARC and FOSWAL literature meets. She believes in the power of the word and writes boldly on contemporary matters.
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