Beginning & Struggle

First for OSI Prompt : Beginning
Followed by Haiku Heights Prompt: Struggle




I CRIED OUT LOUD


A loud exclamation
Followed by shouting screams,
Giggles and laughter
Expressing happiness and joy,
Punctuated with sudden sadness
It was all confused murmuring
None exactly knew, as
Elderly women came out of
The poorly lit space
Leaving the one lying
On a quilted bed
Having a mixed expression
With tears of happiness
As well as grief rolling
Down her cheeks together
Hand in hand, without distinction
And then quietly merging with
A cotton-filled old pillow
When there was a sudden
Burst of crackers
She knew-God had been kinder..
Outside the door
Stood a man in his fifties
Anxiously waiting if his prayers
Would be answered
And then with just one fleeting gesture
God appeared to have whispered
In his ears, “Congratulations!
I thought of gifting two
But taking one back home
For someone else needs him more.”

The man with folded hands
Prayed and recited ancient scriptures
Knocked on the door
Seeking permission
To enter the room
Where lied his soul mate
And wrapped in cotton
A part of their souls
Yes, he was breathing
And next to him another
Soul-less form, having lost
His breath to God’s wish
Man sat next to the woman
Holding her hands
Both of them together
Laughed, cried and then laughed again
And then arrived two girls
Dancing, cuddling, laughing
They were happy with the one
A little baby toy
To play with, devoid
Of the feeling of the loss of other..
No, I couldn’t see all this
Because my eyes were tightly shut
I narrated from what I later heard
Yet I knew I was at a new place
It appeared a little less dark
A bit insecure & unsafe,
Too much clamor & noise
I remembered having someone
Next to me for long in my cocoon

But now, I felt alone
I got scared, fear gripped me
So I did what I could have done
Under the unique circumstances
I cried out loud,
That was the beginning of my life
Despite everyone losing hope
I had survived to live my share
On this beautiful planet
Yes, I missed my twin,
Observing others
So many of them
Like Joy & Pain,
Sun & Shade
Happiness & Sadness,
Success & Failure
Highs & Lows, oh,
They always stayed around
In this journey of life
I have often wondered,
Had God gifted him too
Would I then be the same,
Or I would be someone else
If it were to be a contrast
Oh, I shudder to think…
Lo! Look at God smiling
He always does,
Whenever I write
About a portion of life
Which I would be convinced
Had been designed by him…


Haiku Heights: Struggle

Twins born to win
One reached on arrival
Won without struggle


*****

Mind struggles
To read long poems
Haiku delights


But then Heart commands while writing..A big thank you for reaching here, I can imagine the struggle..