By Dr. Archan Mehta
Poem: Ode to Mom
Mom, please don’t fade away:
Don’t tell me, strapped
To this hospital bed,
That you have feet of clay.
Mom, I will pray for you
By the dying light:
Mom, I want you to
Know that I love you
With all my might.
Mom, please don’t say
You welcome oblivion
And want to pass on:
“Son, my time has come!”
Mom, I want to arrest
Your decline and make
You mine for one last time.
Mom, when you were young,
You were strong and
Did not have to
Carry a loaded gun
To prove your power.
Mom, do you recall
How the world was ours?
Mom, I remember how,
When I was a baby in diapers,
You held me in your arms:
Mom, you were all charm
And stood shining in the light
Of your poses:
After all, mom, you were
Made of lilacs and roses.
Mom, I don’t want to
Lose you: instead, I
Want to take you home,
So you can, once again,
Enjoy this gorgeous sunset,
Drink a cup of tea with me
For company, mindfully,
And listen spontaneously
To the natural chirping
Of the birds in the morning.
Mom, please don’t fade away,
Stay with me:
Let’s set sail on the high sea.
Mom, just you and me.
So, this dark night
Leaves you alone
In quiet and peace.
Mom, why don’t you
Enjoy this gentle
And silent breeze:
And look, mom, at
Those smiling, dancing trees!
Mom, pray don’t leave
Me alone:
Mom, I don’t want
To inherit a broken home.
***************
Dr. Archan Mehta has earned a PhD. in Management. Currently, Dr. Mehta is a Freelance Writer and Consultant based in India. Over the years, Dr. Mehta’s creative work has been featured in numerous publications in India, U.K., USA, South Africa and the Middle East. In his free time, Dr. Mehta likes to stroll in the outdoors, party with close friends, listen to music and stay on top of current events. Dr. Mehta is also fond of meditation. Please feel free to reach out to Dr. Mehta at