As many of you might have found out through Facebook, I lost my beloved mother-in-law roughly a month ago. Once things had settled down a little, I tried to come to terms with the whole situation - and I realized one thing: Grief is easier to handle if you are a creative person. We writers write, painters paint, singers have written whole albums to deal with a death or a broken relationship. Creatively dealing with the topic seems to clear the mind, lift a burden off the heart, and help us grapple with the inevitable helplessness.
In this light, I want to share a poem I wrote, a musical composition a friend of mine came up with after losing a loved on, and a blog post another friend of mine wrote after losing someone dear.
In this light, I want to share a poem I wrote, a musical composition a friend of mine came up with after losing a loved on, and a blog post another friend of mine wrote after losing someone dear.
Poem by Devika Fenando
Floating
Are you floating?
Out of space and time
At a different clime
Where heaven’s bells chime
Is it cold?
Like on the silent moon
As you were taken too soon
Not granted a last boon
Is it hot?
Like on the raging sun
As you have come undone
And a new chapter has begun
Do you remember?
Times so joyful and bright
That they shone a light
Even in your darkest plight
Do you recollect?
Every word ever spoken
Every promise ever broken
Like an unused token
Do you recall?
The ones you left behind
Do you even possess a mind?
Are you still of the human kind?
Are you floating?
Like a rudderless, anchorless ship
Or clutched firmly in the grip
Of a purpose-filled trip
Is this a journey?
With no beginning and no end
Where your fate will depend
On a mysterious karmic blend
Do you wonder?
Where you’ll go from here
To another sphere
Unable to interfere
Do you ponder?
How it came to be
That you get to see
Glimpses of infinity
Do you feel anything?
Like a need to move on
Now that world’s sorrows have gone
And your spirit is getting strong
Do you miss?
The world you used to know
Enveloped in a starry glow
Do you want to change and grow?
Are you floating?
In and out of lives
Feeling the pain of loss sharp like knives
Or the hope that some part of you survives
© Devika Fernando
Are you floating?
Out of space and time
At a different clime
Where heaven’s bells chime
Is it cold?
Like on the silent moon
As you were taken too soon
Not granted a last boon
Is it hot?
Like on the raging sun
As you have come undone
And a new chapter has begun
Do you remember?
Times so joyful and bright
That they shone a light
Even in your darkest plight
Do you recollect?
Every word ever spoken
Every promise ever broken
Like an unused token
Do you recall?
The ones you left behind
Do you even possess a mind?
Are you still of the human kind?
Are you floating?
Like a rudderless, anchorless ship
Or clutched firmly in the grip
Of a purpose-filled trip
Is this a journey?
With no beginning and no end
Where your fate will depend
On a mysterious karmic blend
Do you wonder?
Where you’ll go from here
To another sphere
Unable to interfere
Do you ponder?
How it came to be
That you get to see
Glimpses of infinity
Do you feel anything?
Like a need to move on
Now that world’s sorrows have gone
And your spirit is getting strong
Do you miss?
The world you used to know
Enveloped in a starry glow
Do you want to change and grow?
Are you floating?
In and out of lives
Feeling the pain of loss sharp like knives
Or the hope that some part of you survives
© Devika Fernando
Music by Adisha Kariyawasam
Here are a few interesting facts:
1. The piece has 52 bars (to symbolize each week of a year).
2. The first four temple bell chimes signify the Four Noble Truths (Buddhism).
3. The last 4 herald in the Noble Eightfold Path.
4. The birdsong is a symbol of the healing process - the light of nature at the end of a storm.
Adisha was born in Colombo, Sri Lanka but has lived in the United Kingdom for over 40 years. He is married and blessed with with one son. He is a classically trained musician and was awarded an ABRSM Grade 8 certificate for violin in 1989. The violin is his favourite instrument and one he has been playing ever since the tender age of four. He is also an accomplished pianist and accordionist. Adisha also plays acoustic guitar, drums and percussion from time to time.
He is inspired by music from around the world and has studied classical Indian music too. These days, he enjoys composing tailor-made atmospheric music themes for audiobooks and soundtracks for short films and trailers. Many of his recordings are in the public domain and can be heard for free on Soundcloud ( https://soundcloud.com/adisha-kariyawasam ).
“The process of creating music is incredibly rewarding” he says, adding that “writing and performing music music allows me to capture and represent moods and emotions. It’s a spiritual yet disciplined creative process that is especially good for focussing the heart and mind. That’s why I enjoy teaching music too and always encourage young children and adults to learn an instrument. The benefits are immeasurable and it’s never too late to learn!”
Adisha welcomes new requests and feedback on his published music. You can connect with him through Twitter ( https://twitter.com/adisha_kari ) or his official Facebook page ( https://www.facebook.com/Adisha.Composer ).
1. The piece has 52 bars (to symbolize each week of a year).
2. The first four temple bell chimes signify the Four Noble Truths (Buddhism).
3. The last 4 herald in the Noble Eightfold Path.
4. The birdsong is a symbol of the healing process - the light of nature at the end of a storm.
Adisha was born in Colombo, Sri Lanka but has lived in the United Kingdom for over 40 years. He is married and blessed with with one son. He is a classically trained musician and was awarded an ABRSM Grade 8 certificate for violin in 1989. The violin is his favourite instrument and one he has been playing ever since the tender age of four. He is also an accomplished pianist and accordionist. Adisha also plays acoustic guitar, drums and percussion from time to time.
He is inspired by music from around the world and has studied classical Indian music too. These days, he enjoys composing tailor-made atmospheric music themes for audiobooks and soundtracks for short films and trailers. Many of his recordings are in the public domain and can be heard for free on Soundcloud ( https://soundcloud.com/adisha-kariyawasam ).
“The process of creating music is incredibly rewarding” he says, adding that “writing and performing music music allows me to capture and represent moods and emotions. It’s a spiritual yet disciplined creative process that is especially good for focussing the heart and mind. That’s why I enjoy teaching music too and always encourage young children and adults to learn an instrument. The benefits are immeasurable and it’s never too late to learn!”
Adisha welcomes new requests and feedback on his published music. You can connect with him through Twitter ( https://twitter.com/adisha_kari ) or his official Facebook page ( https://www.facebook.com/Adisha.Composer ).
Blog Post by Sid Balachandran
About the same time I had to deal with death, so did a writer friend of mine from India, whose blog I am following ardently. Here is his thoughtful post titled "A Death, a Funeral and some Rambling": http://www.iwrotethose.com/2015/08/15/a-death-a-funeral-and-some-rambling/
Sid is a stay-at-home dad and a dedicated blogger with a real talent for writing. You can find him on Facebook ( https://www.facebook.com/iWroteThose ) and on Twitter @iwrotethose.
Sid is a stay-at-home dad and a dedicated blogger with a real talent for writing. You can find him on Facebook ( https://www.facebook.com/iWroteThose ) and on Twitter @iwrotethose.
RSS Feed