The Sick Old Man

Wisps of hair, like streaky clouds
Gathered 'round his head
He lay under a tattered quilt
Reclining on his bed

The musty air smelled, Oh! so foul
As I manfully held the bowl
He struggled so noisily with his breath
I feared he just might cough to his death

A spoon of soup I tried to feed him
Some dribbled down his chin
He looked at me with his rheumy eyes
Then gave a toothless grin

I wiped his stubbly chin and lips
With a hand-kerchief
Fed him water in tiny sips
As his look spelled mischief

With practised guile, I cracked a smile
"Now you better rest!
That is what the doctor ordered
and it is for the best."

He paused from a fit of wheezing
And gave me such a look
The tone of his voice was teasing
Even as it shook

"Listen, young man
I have something to say
Listen, if you can
Listen today

I don't have much time
For you or for life
There's no one to miss me here
No child or a wife

I know I am not wrong
When I say what I feel
I am not very strong
Don't think I will heal

I've had a good run
And heaps of fun
I've made many happy
And a few a little sappy

I used to be wealthy once
I was healthy too
Until fate had me in its crosshairs
It was stealthy too

I outlived my kids and friends
I outlived my wives
I look forward to meeting  them all
In our future lives

Here's a little something for you
I've saved it for some time
Thanks for taking care of me
This is surely worth a dime."

From under the pile of pillows
He pulled out a couple of bags
They were full of little bundles
Tied up in dirty rags

"I know I cannot make it"
He continued with a smile
"It's for you. Go on take it,"
As he saluted me with style

"What is all this?" Hesitating, I asked
As he thrust it all at me
"Open one up and have a look," he said
And then you will see"

I untied a little bundle, and it was a big surprise
Easily a few hundred dollars in bills, I couldn't believe my eyes
There must have been a few scores of them, I really was quite shocked
He held up his hand to block my protest and then he firmly talked

"Before you say anything, now that I have your attention,
It is all money honestly earned and some part of my pension
I live on very little, I have very few needs
Some have even paid me well, for a few kind deeds

Many times before, I've given away the lot
Many thought I was a fool
But the more I gave, the more I got
And that seems to be the rule

I suspect you will be the last
I give this with my thanks
As you can see I trust people
More than I trust the banks."

I was suddenly curious,
"What were you before?" I dared to ask
For just a second, he looked furious
Then his face become a mask

"I was always a human,
Imperfect but hopefully good
Do you have any doubts?
I don't think you really should."

"Oh, sorry Sir, I meant to ask,
What kind of work did you do?"
I feared he'd take me to task,
And that is what he did do!

"Judge me not by what I did
Oh, just don't you dare
Judge me now by how I did
Everything, with care

Yes I made mistakes,
But I've got what it takes
If I did the crime
I also did the time

There are many hats I have worn
Engineer, Clerk and Teacher
There are even sheep I have shorn
I once was a traveling preacher

I have been a son, a father and a friend
I have been husband too, but in the end
I have tried to be an honest man
And in all done the best I can

One day you might find yourself,
right here in my place
But remember then, I just was
Ahead of you in this race."

It all seemed a bit too much for him
His face turned a  little red
His bright eyes appeared to dim
He sank into his bed

He looked into my eyes, and touched my very heart
As good-bye to life he bade
From the dark outside I heard, the dogs' howling start
As I saw the spark within him fade

Copyright  (c) Kannan Narayanamurthy 2016
All rights reserved