Bag of Memoirs

I have a bag of memoirs

It contains stories from the past

Marksheets of a time when I was lost

and drawings of friends I used to collect

Shirts that had grown dear to me

and testimonials of family

The first tool I ever built

and the last book I had written

Lately, the bag has grown heavy

and I don’t look at it too often

My stories travel with me every day

But the bag stays at its place

So I surround myself with antiques from the past

hoping to live in the glory of days gone by

Some day, I’ll leave these possessions behind

and move on with my stories, and my bag slightly empty

I’ll carry the gifts I received

lest someone someday need reminding

But I shall not burden my shoulders with memories

My soul shall stay full with them

And if a day should come

when my memories leave me by way of a tear

Then I’ll be all the more lighter

I do not mind

I’ll walk along looking for newer pastures

For that is all there is to life

to love a lot, to live gently

and to gracefully let go of things

not meant to be forever

Vishal Gupta

26^th July 2018

15 Last Words from ASoIaF

I recently read John Green's "Looking For Alaska". And since this is not a book review I will refrain from giving any opinion about the book on this post. The idea however, comes from the protagonist, "Pudge" who reads biographies so that he can know the last words of famous figures. As he quests for the last words of his love, an idea came to me. Which is the book that I've read with a lot of last words? It would be a book with a lot of deaths. Obviously, A Song of Ice and Fire (Game of Thrones) came to mind. And so, here we go. The 15 most memorable last words of from major death scenes through the series, in order of their death.

1. “For Robert!”  – Ser Waymar Royce

First death in the series

2. “Sister, please… Dany, tell them… make them… sweet sister…” – Viserys Targaryen

3. “I will give Lyanna your love, Ned. Take care of my children for me.” – King Robert Baratheon

Because every person must entrust Ned with the safety of their children

4. “I betrayed the faith of my king and the trust of my friend, Robert. I swore to defend and protect his children, yet before his blood was cold, I plotted to depose and murder his son and seize the throne for myself. Let the High Septon and Baelor the Beloved and the Seven bear witness to the truth of what I say: Joffrey Baratheon is the one true heir to the Iron Throne, and by the grace of all the gods, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms and Protector of the Realm.” – Lord Eddard Stark

5. “No. Must ride. Ride. No.” – Khal Drogo

Ironically, also his first word in the series.

6. “You will not hear me scream.” – Mirri Maz Duur

To which Dany replied, “I will.”

7. “…sharp” – Qhorin Halfhand

He had previously asked Jon if his sword was sharp enough, knowing that Jon will slay him later that day

8. “Who calls me bastard?” – Craster

9. “Tell Jorah. Forgive him. My son. Please. Go.” – Lord Commander Jeor Mormont

10. “Jeyne? Mother, Grey Wind…” – King Robb Stark

11. “No, don’t, don’t cut my hair, Ned loves my hair” – Catelyn Stark

Dying thoughts

12. “Oh. You know nothing, Jon Snow” – Ygritte

13. “It’s, kof, the pie, noth—kof, pie. I, kof, I can’t, kof kof kof kof…” – King Joffrey Baratheon

14. “I came to hear you confess. You raped her. You murdered her. You killed her children. You raped her. You murdered her. You killed her children. You raped her. You murdered her. You killed her children. You raped her. You murdered her. You killed her children. You raped her. You murdered her. You killed her children. You raped her. You murdered her. Elia. You raped her. You murdered her. You killed her children. Now say her name. I will hear you say it. She was Elia of Dorne. Elia. Say it! Elia. Of Dorne! Say it! ELIA OF DORNE! EEEEELLLLLLIIIIIAAAAA! If you die before you say her name, ser, I will hunt you through all seven hells. Say the name!” – Prince Oberyn Nymeros Martell

15. “Elia of Dorne. I killed her screaming whelp. Then I raped her. Then I smashed her fucking head in. Like this.” – Ser Gregor Clegane

Nostalgia

It has been a long time since

I have been where I wanna be

It has been a long time since

I have seen what I wanna see

It has been a long time since

I have felt as I wanna feel

It has been a long time since

I have lived as I wanna live

A long time since I have felt,

the presence of my mother with me

the belief in her voice

in everything regarding me

Her every action for care of me

Her every thought for the better of me

All I can remember now are the tears

when we had parted

and her attempts to hide them from me

A long time since I have had

those fatherly hands to support me

those calm ears which understood me

those ages gone by, which made me what I am

those struggles of agony to make my future light

those brief periods of tension, which worked for better relations

those gentle eyes emitted serenity

that peaceful face displayed divinity

Oh how on earth can I repay the people

who gave me life as it is

A long time since I have been

with friends now forgotten

the moments with small joys

and periods of silence which went by

the cherished youth shall be remembered

even when its fragments disperse

for each will carry memories

of golden times in their hearts

I could not tell them what I felt

And we parted unknowingly

And made a mutual bond to remember

the times when we were together

The days we left is all I seek

them back wants the creature in me

I know that I cannot redeem my past

and my destiny does not allow that in my path

so I rest patiently remembering

the faces that once were with me

A long time since I have held

the small hand of my little sister

and talked my heart out

with feelings and joys and pains

and when those eyes

understanding every word I say

Not interrupting and letting me speak

To lessen the burden from me

I wish she was here with me

So once more I could tell her my pains

But alas! that time has gone

when I had someone to hear me

A long time since I have een

those twinkling eyes gaping at me

Her hand I held once and she had blushed,

my very existence wanting to be with her

To see her face to see her laugh

to hear her voice to feel her presence

to smell the fragrance of her har

to see her innocence to feel her breath

is what makes survival easy now

for the desire to meet her again

shall put me up for a long time

A long time since I have talked

with the teacher who taught me to think

the man who taught me to use my power

the man who taught me to fight my weakness

the man who made me what I am

the man who believed me in everything

with whom I felt so free

with whom I seek to be

I need my teacher yet once more

to ask for advice to take me again

into the realms unknown to me

His faith in me is my strength

and I try to live up to that

His teachings guide me in sorrow

His blessings guide me in strength

It has been a long time since

I have been what I was

I have lived as I lived

I have thought what I thought

I have loved whom I loved

I have laughed as I laughed

A long time since

I had faith in myself

I held head high and challenged the sky

But one day I will be back

and re-attain all I lost

It will be soon and I will be better

and we shall be paid by Almighty for our struggle

I will be back one day

I will be back one day

Vishal Gupta