Solitude

"Solitude"
by: Alexander Pope

Happy the man, whose wish and care
A few paternal acres bound,
Content to breathe his native air
In his own ground.

Whose herds with milk, whose fields with bread,
Whose flocks supply him with attire;
Whose trees in summer yield shade,
In winter, fire.

Blest, who can unconcernedly find
Hours, days, and years, slide soft away
In health of body, peace of mind,
Quiet by day.

Sound sleep by night; study and ease
Together mixed; sweet recreation,
And innocence, which most does please
With meditation.

Thus let me live, unseen, unknown;
Thus unlamented let me die;
Steal from the world, and not a stone
Tell where I lie.

---

Its been a harrowing day so far. My close friend's wife had a mis-carriage 3 weeks back and I got to know only today, after they came out of their emotional-shell. It struck me at several levels, sending shock-waves, that I thought I'd throw some emotions out here.

I've known them for a long time now and for the same reason, I couldn't digest this at all. While I'm happy to hear that she is doing fine and recovering and he is back at work, trying to divert himself, a loss is a loss.

My other friend always remarks "life is beautiful". While I believe it to most part, events like these doesn't explain much about life at all. Its filled with pain, striking at its will, but always with full power.

I completely agree that a delivery to a mom is a re-birth, but on the same note, its that highest form of expectation and excitement, when tormented by these fateful happenings, I can't even articulate how they should be feeling inside.

He said, they can't even bawl out, as once when they did it, their only other kid, not knowing what's happening brought a napkin and told them not to cry.

This was too much for me to even hear it over the phone and more than me, for them to handle, I'm sure.

I could sense the he is out of tears to cry now, when he said this all, in an absolutely raw tone. His current state of sounding strong, is something I don't totally believe in - he is in survival mode. He has other responsibilities to take care now, more than he has time to grieve. I can't believe how is handling it.

God : Please bless them with mental calmness and strength, which is the need of the hour above all, for them to carry themselves into the future.