My head swims and there’s lead in my legs
I fall along the path and the five men walking ahead
Fade away from my crazed vision.
None pauses or turns around…
Somewhere I hear a question asked
And the wise eldest answers
With not a step missing.
No one stops, not even he,
The archer, whom I loved most.
I fade away, and then,
I feel strong arms around me and an anguished voice
“No my dearest, I will not leave you,
To die a dog's death on this deserted path”
Somewhere in the air, amid the stench of death,
Wafts the fragrance of a precious flower
And the cry of a demon’s death-
Somewhere the click of dice
And the scent of blood in my hair.
I lay dying and in my last breath,
I breathe a prayer-
“My Lord, I wish that in our next birth,
You would be the first born.”

(Inspired by MT's 'Randaam Oozham')