Thursday, June 13, 2013

Dignity In Death

My take on 7x7x7x7 Writing Prompt!!
  1. Grab the 7th book from your bookshelf.
  2. Open it up to page 7.
  3. Pinpoint the 7th sentence on the page.
  4. Begin a poem/a piece of prose that begins with that sentence
  5. Limit it in length to 7 lines/7 sentences.
The 7th book on my shelf is...Arranged Marriage by Chitra Banerjee Devikarni...



'....it made my eyes water'...

She was lying on the bed, with swollen feet propped on a pillow --perhaps, this was her karma, I thought.

'She should go now...', I muttered, but immediately plucked out the evil thought out of my mind.

As advised by the Doctor, I pressed a poultice of warm salt on her swollen belly. 

She tried lifting her hand to touch my head, but, it required immense balance; so she let it fall, moaning.

It was a faint and tired moan, but, strangely I heard the sharpest cry of pain....

I took both her hands, in a moment she pulled them away and said coldly,' Let me go....please.'

At night, the windows were curtained, her voice was chasing me from within with words as strong as stones, and before it raced out of my mind; I gave her an overdose of morphine.



( I know Euthanasia is a controversial topic. But, I believe, it is imperative to draft a law that permits euthanasia under special circumstances, without creating a situation in which the old and sick suddenly find themselves at the mercy of lawmakers to relieve them.)


This is in response to the WriteTribe prompt.

30 comments:

  1. Agony comes out strongly through your words-very thought provoking.

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  2. Very deep and as Indu rightly said 'thought provoking'!

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  3. So tender, can feel the grief of letting one go. Beautiful Panchali.

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  4. A very nice writing prompt. I should try writing this way too :)

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  5. Amazing....Thanks for the encouragement:)

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  6. letting go of a loved one is always painful and being the one responsible for letting them go, it can be devastating....emotional piece..so well written.

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  7. A sensitive topic beautifully handled.
    I agree.

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  8. Very profound and a poignant one. Very beautifully composed!!

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  9. It would be too much if I overdose you with my oraises..but can't help saying, you write so well, Di..

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  10. don't want to, but sometimes have to perhaps. poignant take.

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  11. Of course I agree with your take on euthanasia but the way you have turned the line into something is what impresses me thoroughly :-)

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  12. The suffering is terrible and letting go is the best medicine at that time. Wonderful

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  13. very nice way of putting such a sensitive topic. Impressive. :)

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  14. I still haven't made up my mind regarding euthanasia. I hope I am never in a situation that requires me to take such a tough decision. But you've brought out the essence of this difficult subject in a very sensitive manner. Nice post.

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  15. Hi Panchali.You have handled such delicate issue very impressively.

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  16. sometimes grief when expressed seems heartbreakingly painful and you have dealt with it rightly

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  17. deftly handled, Panachali

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  18. The main trouble is Panchali di, especially in a country like India, such laws could be tweaked for selfish reasons and could give rise to a lot of crime!

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  19. very well carved!
    Euthanasia requires extreme caution and deliberation. No law is full proof and as pointed by Jaish selfish motives can never be negated.

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  20. Oh! It is wonderfully written but end took me by surprise. When someone is in a vegetative state, I think it is OK.

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  21. I guess in certain situations, it is ok. But then, it depends on the caretakers. Very well expressed. Sad!

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  22. Amazing creativity with that line, I would have fumbled badly.

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  23. Wow beautifully written...You have covered a very debatable topic with such poise and depth!!

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  24. Difficult decisions... to see them be or to let them go. It pains either ways. Very touching, deep and warm.

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  25. The law should permit euthanasia under special circumstances but then again special circumstances is highly debatable.

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  26. You have wonderfully brought out the story.
    And that book.. isn't it just lovely?

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  27. That was very well written. Awesome.

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  28. Very well written. I sit on the fence with the topic though.
    Dropping by from 7x7x7x7

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