I will die with hundreds of papers unread

Books unsorted, travels undone,

expectations unmet, places un-went,

foods untasted, things unsaid

I will die with thoughts unaired,

hearts un-lightened, glories unlived,

missions unfulfilled, loans unburdened

lovers unrequited, relatives unvisited,

experiences un-had.

 

I will die before my time,

hidden or sought, found unfound,

though time is no one’s slave or friend,

whether young or old, frail or fit,

strong or weak, I will die a human death

…and that is all any of us can promise,

that I will die a human death

for I was born and I will die,

when born I promised nothing,

when dead hold not against me that

 

…death is my only surety none too sad nor to be avoided

just lean not heavy when I leave

for all the weight I couldn’t heave,

these mounts I put upon my shoulder

those weights were mine and mine alone

let them go with me when I

…on earth in heaven or in between lie.

 

– Manav Sachdeva Maasoom