Mama, I am not dead, I am alive.

I know your love for me will always glow

Like paint on canvas.

With neither respite nor getaway,

You worked hard and watched me grow

Just like the gardener watches the rose.

But the rose blooms and dies Mama

And the gardener is not saddened

For too long a while

For he understands the wheel of life.

Mama, I was putting the foodstuffs in the barrow

To be taken to the supermarket’s shelves.

I do not know Mama how the fire

Broke and within seconds, all was on fire.

I wanted to run away but couldn’t.

I saw no windows, no doors, no friends.

I was alone, desperate, gasping for breath.

I called for help, no one replied.

I cried Mama! Mama! please save my life.

My clothes were on fire, my skin charred,

Flowing away with the fire.

My heart ached and slowly,

I surrendered to death.

All the pain and the deep agony vanished.

Angels came and saved me so lovingly.

Now Mama, I am in heaven

Where lilies bloom innocently.

Heaven is too beautiful Mama.

If the world had taught me words

To describe the beauties of heaven,

I would have told you about it dear Mama.

Mama, go home, do not wait for me

Near this supermarket, for you won’t see

Neither my bones nor my ashes.

Go Mama, be love, give love to all.

Be the light that you always were.

We will surely meet one day.

I love you Mama.

pramila khadun