Unlamented

A few years back, I witnessed a funeral service that was slightly different in nature. The family of the deceased just wanted to get rid of the body as quickly as possible. Even the ashes were scattered inside the crematory compound, after the cremation. The cause? because she died of a disease that is feared and looked down upon by the society. When fear pays a visit, reason leaves. I am no exception.

The dead tell no tales, so I didn’t get to know her side of the story. But I was told that she had got it (the disease that killed her) as a wedding gift from her husband who had departed for the shores of eternity a bit earlier.

The funeral (if one can call it that) affected me deeply; a few days after the incident I wrote this to vent my feelings.

Lifeless and cold her body lies,
on the crematorium’s mosaic floor,
they have scorned her in death,
for she died of the wrong disease.

Afraid to mourn her death,
as truth invites ostracism,
from a society sans compassion,
for she died of the wrong disease.

No one by her casket,
no parting kisses, no farewell tears,
no one to bid her adieu,
for she died of the wrong disease.

Much loved as a daughter,
and a caring sister she was,
now they even scorn her ashes,
for she died of the wrong disease.

The kiss of death from her other half,
was her only gift on her wedding night,
now her body lies cold and all alone ,
for she died of the wrong disease.

Up there from the divine realm,
she looks down at them and smiles,
she was not denied acceptance there,
for dying of the wrong disease.