Gathering up pieces of broken moments

   polishing them with sobs and sighs

   he held her hands tight without taking his eyes off

   from her plight it was evident

   time was moving faster than expected

   perhaps she was aware of the dictums of morrow

   the hung verdict by now had dissected her viscera and core

   dipped her in the ocean of sorrow

   oscillating between pain and predicament

   her modest soul was agonised to a great extent

   fixing his gaze, arresting cathartic fluid

   he shook his head in non acceptance

   sobbed inconsolably, tightening grip

  “All we have is now not tomorrow”- my dear!

   he could barely speak-

  “smile now for heaven’s sake! We are still together

   the night is long and deep…has so much to offer.”

                                                                                               ~ Sujata Dash

                                                                                                      Bhubaneswar, India