The Old Man

After cremation everyone returned

To their respective destination.

The neighborhood was desolate 

And jackals were howling nearby.

Wiping off bloodstains on the wall

Mumbling was the solitary old man.

Keeping awake

Even keeping awake

Is a religion.

Masud Mahmood is a professor (retd) of English at Chittagong University. He is also a poet and translator.