Uncle passed away in sleep <br />In the wee hours today in peace <br />The breeze held its sibilant breath <br />Leaves paused and listened in depth <br /> <br />He was ninety-two, three-fourth blind <br />Yet, exuberant like a playful child <br />Never did he mouth a complaint <br />His smile never ever waned <br /> <br />He lived all alone in a bustling town <br />As his kin and children worked abroad <br />He never sought a helping hand <br />Content full with his own hands <br /> <br />And a maid who came once a day <br />To cook his food and clean the place <br />His mood upbeat, infectious grace <br />Enthralled those who saw his face <br /> <br />The world for him was a shadow play <br />Delights galore in dance and sway <br />As he swished and made his way <br />Silent like a fish in a bay <br /> <br />He moved in and out of his flat <br />His sense of touch made sure that <br />He was always on the right spot <br />With his unfading smile intact <br /> <br />He knew where what was placed <br />The right elevator button to press <br />Sense of touch told him well <br />The exact count in his wallet’s swell <br /> <br />Uncle proved exemplary <br />To all his contemporaries <br />He was the best lesson they could have <br />On graceful aging sans fear of grave <br /> <br />Smiling on his bed he lay <br />Rustle and winds stilled mid-way <br />A white lamb stood bleating at his feet <br />It was death, helpless, uncle had it tricked<br /><br />Madathil Nair<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/uncle-passed-away/
