The Last Caretaker

(For Mikhail Joseph Martirosian (1930-2020), the last Caretaker of the Armenian Church, Armanitola, Old Dhaka.) Aftab Ahmad

There were walks he did not take in the sunset. Didn’t have the luxury to quibble with sparrows, Or see the occasional fireflies disappear and fret Of distant battles of which he was told by some. There was solace in gravestones cold, unknown. He just kept the candles burning, flickering low, Waiting for the Saviour who probably didn’t notice, Him counting dawns with grass stems aglow. A few crumbling murals was all he guarded. Handful of rosaries, beads, fading memories, Of people around who thought he was deranged, Holding on to the past, maybe survive a little. He was the unsung choir, hoping some would hear, Now the pain in the Cross was no longer his to bear.

[AFTAB AHMAD is a bi-lingual poet and essayist from Bangladesh. A career public servant he began his professional life as a journalist, teacher and broadcaster. He has two collection of verses and a co-written verse drama in Bangla. His collection of English poem is awaiting publication later in the year.]