Madhu’s poem explores the complex relationship between life and death, highlighting the complexities of medical interventions and technology, exclusively for Different Truths.

Blood trickled down the nose
mouth twisted by forced tubes
Intubated
extubated
to keep a wasting body alive
Machine breathing 
body energised by aggressive meds
stressed out resisting invasions of science
A painful dilemma 
dwindling between to be or not to be
Tortuous, cruel to see or think
Body becomes 
a minting machine
Loved ones torn by guilt
as they see their good intentions
turn sour and angels turn devils
Processes work on a body
that is beyond the point of return
The automated wheel stops
when money no longer oils its spokes
Dawn breaks the horrible night
brings life back on nature's track
Life has to leave at some point
reality of mortal birth
Exhausted heart takes rest
Death relieves all pain
a much-awaited death
wished against an artificial and painful life
that could keep the pendulum swaying
between breath and death
O nature 
O death
thank you for your timely intervention
to smash all illusions
 of hope 
of intentions 
and bare the 
gritting teeth of all lies!

Picture design by Anumita Roy

Madhu Sriwastav

Madhu Sriwastav is a Kolkata-based academic, poet, short story writer, reviewer and translator. Her poems have been published and anthologised in National and International journals and magazines, both online and in print. Her debut book of poems, Trips Climbs Circles, has received rave reviews. She received the Jury Award 2022 in the Panorama International Literature Festival. Her latest book is a translation of Chitra Mudgal’s award-winning novel, Post Box No.203, Nala Sopara, by Sahitya Akademi.