Asthi-Kalasha (Ii)

Asthi-kalasha, With the asthi-kalasha in hands The spirit going to do pinda-dana, The bereaved soul on a pilgrimage To immerse the kalasha, the urn Containing bhashma Into the holy waters, Just a handful of Bodily ashes, Of bones and flesh To be immersed in. Asthi-kalasha, I saw the asthi-kalasha of my father Hanging by the peepul tree Just by the banks of the river Where stood it the hamlet Wher I was born, Under the sparkles and twinkles Of the stars Burnt I one day, Asking the gods to help, But came they not. Again saw I mother dying before, Prana coming out, Life wailing for survival, Whom burnt I in the garden, Saw her turning ashes and coals, The same mother who reared me, Made me grow affectionately And the situation was as thus, The asthi-kalasha hung it By the bamboo pole, But mother was not one night.