DEPARTURE br br It could be a cold wintry morn, br Or some corner of a dark moonless night, br When my soul will take flight, br Leaving a frail carcass behind! br And the heart, which had known br love, hatred, lust, and greed; br Felt forgiveness, sacrifice and compassion, br Shall once more turn bright red, br And burn in the crackling fire of the br pyre; - br As I sore towards the million stars…. br Which are God’s graves in the depth br of the skies; br Leaving behind my shadowy mark, br In my poems, verses and lines! br br -Raj Nandy br New Delhi br 23 Jun 07.