Last Wish

a poem by Sudarshan Madhav Karhale

When my skin would fall off my bones,
my mind goes dead,
my heart stops beating;
when I want to express
my last words,
I wish you shall be there,
my dear sweetheart,
next to me sitting.

When memories of past surround me,
bring tears from my eyes,
I wish you shall be there
to wipe them with your hands
gentle and wise.

When my blood is left no more red,
my nerves are rendered damp;
I wish you shall be there
to give me warmth
with a kerosene lamp.

When my nails turn pale,
no longer can I show
any slight movement;
I wish you shall be there
to witness my lone department.

When echoes of crying
in grief and pain
hit my delicate eardrum;
I wish you shall be there
to quiet them down
with your worthy wisdom.

When wishes made together,
remained unfulfilled,
keep striking my vision;
I wish you shall be there
to promise me
of bringing out them to completion.

When my voice is
unable to reach you,
my vocals seem muted;
I wish you shall be there
to lit fire on my rotten flesh
having my soul abducted.

When death wraps her arms around me,
make my body feel extremely cold;
I wish you shall be there
to comfort me
with interesting stories untold.

When I take my last breath
with the greatest difficulty,
I wish you shall be there
to forgive this guilty person
who had been lifetime faulty.