When the Soul Leaves (Satis Shroff)

A glorious sunset in the winter of our lives (c) satisshroff 2007

Like Shakespeare said, 'All the world's a stage'

And we've played many different roles in our lives

In various places and scenarios.

As we grow old and ripe, our knowledge of the world grows.

We hold what we cannot see, smell, taste and touch in our memories.

We only have to walk down memory lane

To find the countless faces, places, sights and sounds that we have stored,

To be recalled and retrieved through association

In conversations with others

Or when we contemplate alone.

Why should elderly people be scared of social terror and aging?

Aging is a biological phenomenon.

We should be glad that we have lived useful lives,

Filled with good experiences.

The wonderful children that we have created,

The very gems of our genes,

Each so individual in their personalities.

The house we lived in and filled

With love, laughter, songs and music.

The parents and grand-parents, friends and relatives

We have had the time to share with.

But we should be able to assert our exit from this earthly existence

In the manner that we desire,

And not leave it in the hands

Of an intensive life-extension unit.

Let us dwell on common experiences and encounters

That we can take with us,

When the massless soul leaves the body

And races with the speed of light

Towards space and becomes unified

With the ever expanding, timeless cosmos.

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