Ode to a little one :(

Just heard some sad news yesterday. One of my best friends, lost her baby girl after full term. It seems the umblical chord twisted around the baby's neck and strangulated her :( This, despite regular check-ups with the doc!! That's why wise men say life's not in our hands :( I called her up to ask her how the pregnancy was progressing (her due date was somewhere around next week) and she broke down on the phone. I was shell-shocked! We are a group of 4 and Habee was the first in the group to get married. When she told us about the pregnancy, my comment was "Hey your kid will be the eldest of all our kids" and I remember her radiant smile full of pride and joy. On the phone, I didn't know what to say to her. No matter what I said, it definitely won't reduce the pain she is facing this moment.

Imagine the plight of the parents in such a situation - the plans they'd have made in the 9 months, all the things they'd have bought, their hopes and dreams, their aspirations for the child, espescially their longing to hold their child in their arms...

Habee had a valid question - "Why did God give me a child if He wanted to take it away?". The question stuck like an arrow to my heart. Why this unfairness? I can't even reassure her with my standard dialogue of all time - "All that happens, happens for the good". I really can't see what good might come out of this! Maybe something will but as of now, I feel so angry at the loss. But que sera sera.

This post is a dedication to the little girl whom my future kids should have considered their big sister, but whom neither they, nor I will never know. Its not often that I write poems but this one goes out to Habee, who'll probably never read this, may you find peace my beloved friend..

A mother's woe

When I first came to know of you
I shouted my joy to the skies
Who ever knew this would happen
Little one, you never opened your eyes.

Your dad bought a beautiful crib
I bought little clothes of your size
Grandparents decorated your room, but
Little one, you never opened your eyes.

You were the answer to our prayers
You were a blessing in disguise
I know not why everything went wrong
Little one, you never opened your eyes.

I will never hear your happy gurgles
I will never hear your wails or cries
You have left my heart and soul empty
Little one, you never opened your eyes.

Rest in peace my little one
It hurts a lot when a loved one dies
Time will heal, but I'm crying now, cause
Little one, you never opened your eyes.