Poessay: Rosary 17 - Hemashree

the hemashree whose hand
i held in palliative care
was not the one with golden body
and infectious laughter
though i could see the wrinkles
where smiles danced once
around her eyes and mouth

she was skeletal, taut skin
throaty almost shrill voice

everything is for sale babuji
some you buy with money
others you can barter
or purchase with promises
there is no person or object
that is without a price tag

ghungh'roo ho ya mangalsutra
sub kay sub hee bikao haiN ji*
said hemashree, unread, street-smart

* everyone has a price on their head

Earlier:

Poessay: Rosary 1 - Pink Sand Beach

Poessay: Rosary 2 - Fishing

Poessay: Rosary 3 - Adam and Eve Limited - I

Poessay: Rosary 4 - Adam and Eve Limited - II

Poessay: Rosary 5 - Descending

Poessay: Rosary 6 - Dinner In The Park

Poessay: Rosary 7 - Under the Jamun Tree

Poessay: Rosary 8 - Voices in the Air

Poessay: Rosary 9 - Life Rosary I

Poessay: Rosary 10 - Life Rosary II

Poessay: Rosary 11 - Creating In Isolation

Poessay: Rosary 12 - Kohled Eyes

Poessay: Rosary 13 - By the Lake

Poessay: Rosary 14 - Snow Flakes

Poessay: Rosary 15 - The Drop

Poessay: Rosary 16 - Ageless Quest - tishnagi

Poessay: Rosary 17 - Hemashree