Oh My Friend!

Oh my friend!

P K Routray

You told me, he was no good,

a “c” grade student.

You were the topper.

In later life after college

You expected, he would be a failure,

failure in the family front,

failure in the job

and a total failure in life.

You forecasted

As you saw

he was dull headed

in mathematics, engineering subjects

neither he could remember,

nor he could understand.

He was dull,  far, far below you.

Hey Samant, my dear friend!

I remember you fondly,

my laboratory partner,

games partner for recreation

It was long past in 1967,

almost fifty years back

But in 1969 before final graduation

Where laurels for best graduate

was almost sure for you

You forced yourself to exit

from this illusory world

and this mortal body.

I do not know, where are you now?

But he is proud husband

and father of sons and daughter

a millinery business icon

How wrong you were.

Muse I,

“Whether he is a failure or you?”

(N. B -A true story of my life. My friend Samant a brilliant student has told me pointing out to another friend ranking towards bottom of the ladder in class. But Samant committed suicide before final examination. His words still reverberate in me. It is not a fun sat my friend but a question which boggles my mind very often)