Theme : Life
When the Soul Leaves
by Satis Shroff

Like Shakespeare said, 'All the world's a stage'
And we've played many different roles
in our lives In various places and scenarios.
As we grow old and ripe,
our knowledge of the world grows.
We hold what we cannot see,
smell, taste and touch in our memories.
We only have to walk down memory lane
To find the countless faces, places,
sights and sounds that we have stored,
To be recalled and retrieved
through association In conversations with others
Or when we contemplate alone.

Why should elderly people be scared of social terror and aging?
Aging is a biological phenomenon.
We should be glad that we have lived useful lives,
Filled with good experiences.
The wonderful children that we have created,
The very gems of our genes,
Each so individual in their personalities.
The house we lived in and filled
With love, laughter, songs and music.
The parents and grand-parents, friends and relatives
We have had the time to share with.
But we should be able to assert our exit from this earthly existence
In the manner that we desire,
And not leave it in the hands
Of an intensive life-extension unit.

Let us dwell on common experiences and encounters
That we can take with us,
When the mass less soul leaves the body
And races with the speed of light
Towards space and becomes unified
With the ever expanding, timeless cosmos. 

March 18, 2007

Image under license with Gettyimages.com

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