Blessedness, poverty & risus sardonicus by Debasis Mukhopadhyay

(Mother Teresa is to be declared a saint on September 4, 2016, Pope Francis has announced)

 

She asked nothing in return

The tumbledown slums claimed and exclaimed

And she wanted all the candles to be kindled till they die radiant overcoming the torments of a bloodless immaculate life inside a pure heart.

The Requiem in monsoon sky flitted like a swan trying to get its unquenchable mouth drenched in the dream of salvation.

She carried her robe till she died in a private clinic where it is said saintly compassion was abandoned for earthly medicines & she was shivering because of the air-conditioning.

Not so far from the clinic’s porch, the naked beggars of Calcutta were crawling along the roads squeaking piercingly awaiting the Judgment day.

Mother, mother, here in your innocent hands our penitential soul.

They didn’t and perhaps, still don’t know what their Mother knew, even Malle, Lapierrre & Grass could figure too, that they would smile after their death.

And today, truly and  graciously, they are smiling like wild flowers from beneath the death.