Irony of Life

I can’t get over the fact that actor Irrfan Khan passed away today (Wednesday) due to a colon infection. After battling a rare type of cancer, the actor came back and acted in the Hindi movie ‘Angrezi Medium,’  released on 13/3/2020, which I watched last week.  His mother passed away on Saturday at the age of 95.

For all those who haven’t watched Hindi movies, Irrfan Khan is the actor in the English movies ‘Life of Pi,’ ‘Slumdog Millionaire,’ ‘The Namesake,’ to name a few. RIP to a fine actor

I used the below prompt given by Bhuvaneshwari Shivakumar – Shankar     to write a poem. The prompt is given below and is not part of NaPoWriMo.

Today I thought of bringing to you a form that is found in Tamizh poetry called AndAdi –(Hindi -Anth + Adi) where a form / variation/ root of the ending word of the first line becomes the first word of the next line. This form has been long in use in Tamizh literature since the Sangam period.

Andadi can be composed as couplets quatrains or longer pieces – as long as the one rule is followed!”

 


Keeping the prompt in mind this is how the poem turned out. Notice the last word of the previous line becomes the first word of the next line.

dust2

Irony of Life

He lost his mother on Saturday

Saturday he wept for her

Her who he would never again see

See the irony of fate; three days’ later

Later which is today

Today he breathed his last

 

Last week I watched him in a movie

Movies were what made him famous

Famous means nothing when death comes visiting

Visiting and taking is what He does

Does anybody know how long before we can go back to normal?

Normal now will be wearing gloves and a mask

 

Masks are what the French called the burqa and banned

Banned because they posed a risk

Risk to the National security 

Security now requires  a revamp, a change

Change that necessitates a mask to be worn

Worn for safety, no longer seen a threat or a sign of modesty

 

Modesty – mocked in the past

Past defined by  tradition and culture

Culture rebuked as ‘conservative’ and ‘stifling’

Stifling is the new way of life

Life that’s been altered by a virus, tinier than a speck of dust

‘Dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return’

irrfan khan
RIP Irrfan Khan

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16 responses to “Irony of Life”

  1. Vineetha Brijesh Avatar
    Vineetha Brijesh

    Beautiful

    1. Smitha V Avatar

      Thanks Vin. Had to take it out through writing.

  2. Abirbhav Avatar

    ‘Dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return’ – Equally valid for the virus. It shall return to dust soon with it’s DNA shredded to the last atom, very soon.
    Sad to know about Irrfan Khan’s sudden demise. He was a great actor and a human being. Every person who watched his movies feel that it’s a personal loss to them upon hearing this tragic news. Hope he finds eternal peace.

    1. Smitha V Avatar

      I like your optimism Abirbhav. I know it shall return to dust but when? Yes, Irrfan Khan’s death came as a shock and you said it right – it feels like a ‘personal loss.’ Don’t know why – it must be because he felt like the man next door – simple, humble and yet he reached the stars. May his soul rest in peace.

      1. Abirbhav Avatar

        But when? I can only say, soon. The night seems the darkest when it’s about to end, right?

        1. Smitha V Avatar

          Yes, I guess it does. Thank you for sharing the optimism. Need to remind myself that now more often.

          1. Abirbhav Avatar

            I merely shared logic, Madam.. But I am glad that you got energized, even by a tiny little bit.. 😊
            The windmills never did retire, did they? 😉

      2. Abirbhav Avatar

        And yes, Irrfan Khan was a great human being. His story is so inspiring, but sadly, cut short. May he rest in peace. He was the Best actor and human being.

  3. binnykumar Avatar

    Amid the sea of floozy and in vain actors we had somebody ,who was there with some class apart acting chops ..Always a delight to see his movie …We lost him today ..It was not the right time for him to leave ….but who can understand the direction of somebody up there pulling strings ….
    Nice poem Smitha ..as always you have captured the current mood ….

    1. Smitha V Avatar

      So true Binny, He was a class apart. We watched Angrezi Medium last week and I was just saying that the chemo doesn’t show on him. Its good to see him bounce back. Maybe that’s why it hurts more. Thanks Binny for reading and writing back.

  4. V.J. Knutson Avatar

    Life’s ironies – some tragic.

    1. Smitha V Avatar

      True…there are no reasons. Life just happens. Hope you’re doing well.

      1. V.J. Knutson Avatar

        I am thank you. How about you?

        1. Smitha V Avatar

          We’re doing ok too. It’s been 40 days since we stepped outside. So it’s quite a battle.

          1. V.J. Knutson Avatar

            Yes, I understand. I was isolated before this – due to illness – and I remember how much of an adjustment it was at first.

          2. Smitha V Avatar

            I guess, its helped all of us to be more grateful for all that is. Thanks VJ for writing back. XXX

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