The giver of life

I grudge you destiny not

No matter if this life

Is by your fancy cut short.

Whatever I asked, you gave

But not without taking

A little something in return

And today when you ask

For this breath of mine

I have a little too to take.

Grudge me this destiny not

Give me one more morning

When my sleep breaks

Within the arms I love

My eyes see the face

Which mirrors your image

My fingers touch

The warmth of skin

Whose very breath

Is a dawning unto life itself

For she is but

The woman I love.

Give me another afternoon

Where I lounge lazily

When the heat of the mid day sun

Melts the ice in my cocktail

And I lie wantonly beside her

Enjoying scrabble or strip poker

Carmen or Weber playing

Perhaps even 'Carnatic' music

A playful lunch

A passionate siesta

With the woman I love.

Give me but my last evening

Where the purple of the sky

The red of the wine

And the pink of her tongue

Kiss my eyes

Nibble my palate

And smear my lips

Casablanca plays on TV

Tea leaves brew, lush aroma

And heaven descends

With the woman I love.

Give me that final night

Where I might weep

My last on earth

Inhale her breath

And lull the inevitable

An empty moon

And distant stars

Her beautiful voice

Calling my name

Drawing me closest

To the woman I love.

The giver of life

Let destiny be mine

In these dying moments

I just will take that which is mine

You have her forever

I don’t even have my lifetime

You call me away

At least grudge not

This dying smile

Even though this life is yours

Destiny, give me one more time.

~Vikram C~

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