for my mother, Zubeida Moolla 1934 – 2008.
(dedicated to exiles, refugees, and the brave South Africans who struggled against Apartheid tyranny within South Africa).
My mother passed away after a lengthy battle with Motor-Neurone Disease, also called ALS.
This poem is also dedicated to all the brave souls who are courageously battling illnesses and terminal diseases.
May we always salute them and their families’ courage in the face of indescribably hard circumstances).
__________
I remember the tears she shed,
as she longed for her distant abode,
she wept often then,
as she pined for her children, Tasneem and Azad,
and felt the future looked bleak,
on that dim, lonely road.
I remember the tears she shed,
when that telegram came one afternoon,
‘regret to inform you stop father passed away stop’,
She wept often after that,
for their last goodbye had been said too soon.
I remember the tears she shed,
on that glorious day in a February not that long ago,
when the prisoner Nelson Mandela finally walked out,
breathing the free air,
she wept less after that, for then she knew where they were to go.
I remember the tears she shed,
soaring high above the African skies heading back to her land,
those tears came out in soft sobs,
but her eyes were smiling,
defiant and full of new hope,
as she held tightly onto my father’s wrinkled hand.
I remember the tears she shed,
some years later,
on that peaceful late April 1994 morning,
when she stood and proudly bore the voting ink on her aging thumb,
she wept a lot that April evening,
knowing that a new day was dawning.
I also remember that Thursday not long ago,
as she was slipping away slowly,
she seemed not to weep,
after all the miles and places,
and after all the tears that she had cried,
I remember that she wept little then,
as she drifted off into an eternal sleep.
___________
(for my mother, Zubeida Moolla 1934 – 2008)
____________
Received in its purest form my friend! Thank You once again!
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and thank you, dear friend!
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Thank You so much friend! I can relate to you and the pain you gone through. At this time it is so confusing that for whom I’m more concerned my brother or my parents? Yes not only the one who is facing all this go through hell but each family member does. Sometimes I feel guilt when I laugh or enjoy life living away from them. I’m living like split personality these days. I live, laugh, enjoy with my husband and daughter as if everything is normal but internal I die every second feeling pain of my parents and brother.
Time is not easy but then what option we have?
Thank You so much for your wishes, support and friendship Afzal. Much needed.
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I can relate completely to every word you say, Meenakshi. When my mum was ill and bedridden for five years I used to feel immense guilt just having a laugh with a friend – felt I was letting her down somehow by expressing joy – and it was my mum who told me to live and enjoy but of course that is very very difficult to do when a loved one is so sick. It takes a lot of resilience and it is so true that through unbearable pain we sometimes see things for what they should be – the simplest joys of life like talking and laughing and appreciating the warmth of the sun. I am deeply touched by your words because I truly feel I relate 100%. It is never easy but we strive to be strong for our ill loved ones and endeavour to bring some relief and small joys to them knowing full well how unbelievably harsh their pain and suffering must be like. Thank you, Meenakshi and wishing you again all the strength. I remain respectfully yours, Afzal
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Talking to you here I’m feeling light. He is ten years younger than me. Thank you for the strength you gave me Afzal. Thank You very much.
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it is you who has the incredible strength that resides within you and touches me deeply. my very warmest to you and to all those dear to you. such personal experiences are not easy to share but we are all human and what would we be if we were not there, in infinitesimal ways, for our fellow human brothers and sisters. Love and light and hope and warm hugs to all from Johannesburg South Africa
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This is one of your best Afzal! I really appreciate your tribute to your mother as well as to all those who bravely fought or fighting their battle with terminal diseases. May strength and peace be with them.
My own brother is fighting battle of life and death since last two years. Everyday we see him die and live.
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thank you very much Meenakshi. I am deeply saddened to hear about the battle your brother and your family are waging against terminal illness. It is not at all easy, as I know from my experiences with my moms illness, both the sick person as well as the caregivers and family around are deeply affected. It is even difficult to hold onto hope at times and I certainly went through times of deep despair. As we try to alleviate the pain and symptoms of a terminal illness, it is a daily if not hourly battle to be there and be supportive when one is breaking on the inside to see a loved family member suffer so much. I wish you and your family all the strength from the bottom of my heart, dear Meenakshi, even though it is an almost impossible situation in which to keep ones spirit up. We take strength from the strength that the sick display and that is always humbling. my warmest of wishes my friend and love from me to all at home. Respectfully yours, Afzal
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Beautiful lines to a beautiful soul from a beautiful person. Beauty everywhere. May her soul rest in eternal piece.
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thank you, my friend! as always your words touch deeply. warmth and peace to you …
Peace ✌
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You’re welcome, my dear friend. Your words touched me. I remembered my father who passed away in 2000.
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I am so sorry to hear that, my friend. May his soul rest in eternal peace. those who have passed are still with us, within us.
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Yes, they never leave. Thanks
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thank you, dear friend
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Very beautiful. Seriously, we have enough diseases that are harmful to humans. We don’t need war and more sadnesses. 😥😘
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absolutely, my friend. thank you for your always kind words. warmest wishes and respectfully yours
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Love and best wishes
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and all the same to you ✌
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☺✌
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Bitter and sweet memories will always enrich life . Sometimes moisten the eyes and at other times bring a smile. Always for those we loved and lost and especially for mother. Brother a wonderful tribute heartfelt appreciation and warm wishes.
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heartfelt thanks to you, Veena, for your warmth and for your kind words. my deepest gratitude and always respectfully yours
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Afzal, you have paid a perfect and beautiful tribute to your mother, a brave and strong lady. I am sure she is always in your thoughts and heart. 🙏
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thank you ever so much, Radhika. It means a lot that my humble piece touched you. with my warmest wishes and respectfully yours
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