Only a Bag of Memories Will Remain

This contemplative poem explores the human experience from birth to death, emphasizing the deep emotional and philosophical truths that shape our lives. It begins with the innocence and comfort of the

Many of us
may not recall the moment we were born,
but we know this much�"
our arrival was wrapped in waves of joy,
bathed in the breath of happiness.

We all once dwelled in our mother’s womb,
where we ate and slept in peace,
a haven so secure�"
it was heaven, nestled in a mother's heart.

But whose call
drew us away from that sacred shelter?
Crossing a bridge of blood and pain,
we stepped onto the stage of this world.

A mother’s milk,
our crawling steps,
the first utterance that sparked language�"
each a chapter
in the memory-book of life.

It is from the mother
we learn our first lessons in humanity,
the purest form of love �"
from there begins
the rhythm, the voice, the journey of living.

We are known as humans,
but society recognizes us by name, title, and creed.
We are divided
by faith, by race, by caste and marriage.

And yet, we gaze upon
the boundless sky, the steadfast mountains,
the blue oceans and the green earth�"
they remain untouched,
undivided, whole.

Then a quiet question stirs�"
Where were we before we were born?
And where shall we go after death?

In this fleeting passage through life,
all that may linger
will be shadows of our deeds�"
a bag of memories,
etched in sorrow or sealed in joy.

Reviews

[Hossain Belal]

Thank you for your honesty—it’s both humbling and oddly comforting to hear. Maybe the real beauty lies not in finding all the answers, but in continuing to ask the questions with an open heart. If I stumble upon any clarity along the way, you’ll be the first to know.

[John the Baptist]

If you find the answers to these questions, please let me know. I'm crowding eighty, and I still don't have the foggiest idea.