My only daughter Shruti (b.28th Oct. 1988 left 19th Jan.2015)
I could hear your steps becoming fainter,
your youthful demure, a shadow.
Alas! we always breathed your breezy words.
Our sweet balms, our joys of living were they.
One day they ceased to flow.
We are now breathless,
and doomed forever in the land of
stormy lull and dark hours.
My only born you were.
Little, velvet touch rose without a thorn.
A song you were to be sung forever.
When your prattles blossomed into words
you brought heaven down
in our heart.
Like the autumn bees
We thought “….warm days will never cease”*.
Like the silver lining
the fragrant memories fill our heart.
Your diary-words still unread
throb in the pages waiting.
Our anxieties over you have ended.
But not that wait
to be with you my precious;
after these earthly days are spent.
*The quote is taken from Keats’ ode “To Autumn”
Posted for MTB @ dVerse Where Gayle is hosting today and we are asked to write an Elegy.
&
Shared with Sanaa’s prompt ~ Take time out and stop to smell the Roses – [17] for her Prmpt Nights @ A Dash Of Sunny
sumanar/lekha 
This makes me heavy! ….”you brought heaven down”… “Our anxieties over you have ended. But not that wait”
I find myself drifting off to thoughts(don’t know if it was anxiety) on after life surfacing strongly in my thoughts for the first time years ago!
Memories and the void – it’s filled in here!
I don’t know her but a beautiful soul she looks probably found a more beautiful shores than ours to rest! Let peace prevail!
Your mother’s heart is filled with love and hope Sumana ~ Love these lines:
you brought heaven down
in our heart.
And that hopeful waiting to be reunited with your daughter ~ A moving tribute to her & your family ~
This is so very moving and touching, Sumana. Your daughter is a beautiful young woman, and your elegy so very heart-felt. “Steps becoming fainter” is poignant. “Velvet touch rose” expresses such deep feeling. I do understand not reading the diary – yet – but perhaps there will eventually come the day… This breaks my heart once again, Friend.
This is so beautiful and tragic… somehow the tragedy of young ones leaving has a doubled weight… I am glad that you found the strength to write this… it gives me shivers.
Very poignant Sumana… wish you all the strength in the world as you carry her memory in your heart.
The pain, the loss, and the love infuse every line, Sumana. I bet she’s watching over you, warming her soul with your words, smiling into Mom’s heart. ♥
Your diary-words still unread
throb in the pages waiting.
Oh Sumana, words are not enough to express just how beautiful this poem is. May her soul rest in peace. Ameen. Thank you so much for participating at Prompt Nights and for your constant love and support ❤
Lots of love,
Sanaa
I weep for your loss….your pain I can only imagine…your words honour her greatly XXX
The heart of a mother knows no greater pain than losing the joy of a child. But she lives within your every memory and every smile she had elicited. We grieve your loss, Sumana and celebrate the fact that she graced your life!
Your daughter was a beautiful, young woman, Sumana. My mother’s heart hurts with yours. Your poem is a testament of how much she is loved and what an impact she made in your life. May you experience infinite blessings that soothe your soul and bring you peace.
Your words are beautiful. “A song you were to be sung forever”…. and you continue her song till you sing in duet one day.
Sumana, I feel your sadness, the beauty of your daughter, the rose without thorns, and the emotion in this poem in my very soul. And feel the longing to be reunited with her once again. So beautiful, such a profound loss, so exquisitely described. I admire your strength and grace so much.
Beautiful tribute Sumana, so sorry for your loss.
I, too, am so sorry for your loss. You’ve written a beautiful poem remembering your special child, it is sad and lovely at the same time,,,
A tragedy you were able to put in words. A loving mother’s tribute and sadness. “velvet touch rose”
Heartbreaking. A true Elegy
Such a touching poem – and a beautiful young woman so sadly lost – there is so much dignity and grace somehow in her words remaining untouched in her diary .. memories can be a much needed silver lining and i am certain when the time comes you will be reunited
I do remember you writing of the death of your daughter last year. This touching tribute is heartrending but she will be with you forever the most beautiful flower of your life.
Your daughter is beautiful. And, as someone once said to me, much too young for angel’s wings. To lose a child is not in the natural flow of life – and rips the heart with grief.
This prompt has been so very personal for so many. And the reading must be slowly – one at a time and then a rest – as they touch the soul.
Thinking of you this morning…
My heart goes out to you, Sumana. Your daughter was so beautiful and your elegy is a very touching tribute to her. Every stage of grief is present here and expressed with elegance. The second stanza brought me to tears with “Little, velvet touch rose without a thorn / A song you were to be sung forever.
/ When your prattles blossomed into words you brought heaven down in our heart.” Thank you for sharing these very personal and tender words.
Oh my heart aches for you. I can’t imagine what I would go through if I list one of my precious boys. ..let alone an only child.
words are not enough
too too sad, Sumana
heartbreaking
Beautiful words. I especially love the idea of breathing someone we love:
‘Alas! we always breathed your breezy words.
Our sweet balms, our joys of living were they.
One day they ceased to flow.
We are now breathless,’
Sumana, this is beautiful and tragic. I am so sorry you lost your daughter, and admire your strength in writing this for us all to share.
This is such a beautiful tribute. I am so sorry for your loss. Truly tragic when young ones die, but the pain of losing your daughter, I’m sorry that you had to experience.
Oh, Sumana, this brought tears to my eyes. God’s way’s are a mystery. But hold on to that faith that you will be together again. I send you hugs.
*Weeping*. Such tender parental love! Her sweetness shines from her photo, and is captured forever in your words, along with the unbearable grief – which nevertheless is borne.
You brought tears ….love and roses for you… those we love lives in our soul …..so beautifully written!
the fragrant memories fill our heart.
A single line and it encompasses everything the heart desires. Am so sorry Sumana! Just loss for words! Beautiful lines indeed!
Hank
Oh, this touches my heart profoundly. Thank you for opening your heart and sharing it with us, letting us see your beautiful daughter. My own daughter has been so close to leaving us because of illness, surgeries.