The Inevitable

I can remember well when I look back that till about five years ago the obituary column in the Malayalam Manorama news paper was the least glanced. But now the page has become imperative and unavoidable. I involuntarily, perhaps upon auto-suggestion, go through the photos that are inlaid of people who wandered way. In case I stumble upon familiar faces!

I mention this because, increasingly over the past years, the consciousness of the inevitability is always in the mind. There cannot be any days when I have not thought, “How many more miles to walk?" It is not paranoia, but consciousness of the brittleness of life itself.” Young man, rejoice in thy youth (Anonymous), and how true it is!

Rewinding to twenty-five years when the nights were longer than the days back in Ernakulam in BOSBIG, I am certain that neither I nor the rest of the folks have seldom thought about old age, death, or the unknown bend around the corner.

But then why now?

An answer would be those twenty-five years of life since, have chastened one's consciousness... The hubris and audacity of youth have been vanquished by the harsh realities of life. 

Today in an informal discussion with the Asst General Manager of my bank, he was expressing his anguish over the demise of his little sister, who died of cancer a few days ago. He lamented that it was unfair that she, the youngest, should succumb before the elders in her clan. I suggested that perhaps death does not discriminate. He, I thought, nodded but was not quite convinced at the impudence of fate and life.

So then, life has to move on, sometimes ebbing gently and at times tumultuously, but the brittleness of life has always to be remembered.

Though the poet sang for it, is it worth asking for another chance? This world no longer sees the gentle sparkle of the moonlight, nor does the eternal dew shower like pristine white plumes, nor is it enchanting anymore.

God made a stupid decision—he created man !