"Virah" or the pain, associated with separation
can be intense, debilitating, a gnawing feeling deep inside
often discussed in the context of beloveds
lovers separated by circumstances- financial differences
parental opposition, societal norms, objections..
The other day watched a Zoom discussion
featuring senior citizens, living by themselves
children had flown far away where their jobs took them
even to the other parts of the world...
Opinions differed between both sides of pendulum
"Well, that's life, get real, be practical , learn to live
happily by yourselves! "Surely you don't want
to be a stumbling block to son/daughter's future & growth
moreover, isn't it lot better than being ignored, neglected
by children living in the same city, couple of blocks away?"
On the other side were valid points too!
"My only child" having a steady job
with spouse also well employed
decided 'out of the blue' to move to 'cold' UK
We tried living with them, for short periods
the strong pull of grand kids being irresistible
yet the climate, our roots, need to socialize
brought us back to our country sooner than later"
No matter how much we deny it, it is there
this pain of separation - whether from a beloved
a child , parent or sibling
It's real for the ones who experience it
who are we to sit in judgement ?
pooh, pooh what they actually feel ...
After all, imagining what it feels, to another
is not the same as feeling its intensity, depth, magnitude
experiencing it ourselves!
yes ,‘Viraha’ the pain of
separation is real
it needs to be acknowledged and
accepted
before it can be dealt with, handled effectively…
NB: This poem was composed for and recited at the online Seniors Today Poetry meet in November 2023.
Perhaps this sort of separation is unavoidable in the contemporary world.
ReplyDeleteYes, it is a reality of the times.
ReplyDelete