ALL SOULS' DAY (Poem-I)

       













                                                          ALL SOULS' DAY (POEM--I)

                                                 The dark graveyard became a sparkling scene
                                                 Festooned with colored bulbs and flowery sheen
                                                 Whitewashed in moonlight soft, the sepulchers shine
                                                 Sweet memories swell in rapturous hymns divine
                                                 The pastor's voice in solemn notes did sound
                                                 A sigh of relief did heave from every mound:
                                                 The crowded kith and kin with reverence share
                                                 Their moments past with philosophic air
                                                 A humble tribute to their ancestors dead
                                                 Who in God's lap taste spiritual bread;
                                                 An occasion to link ourselves anew
                                                 With cherished faces erased from our view.

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            23-12-2013                                                                            SOMASESHU GUTALA


                                              A Brief Note on ALL Souls' Day :


  In every culture and civilization due respect and importance is shown towards ancestors  who passed on their values and characteristics to us  and whose blessings are needed for  the existing generation. In Rome a festival called “Feralia” was held to honor the dead in February year. In Indian tradition a whole fortnight in the month of October is devoted to show reverence and do charitable works in memory of the ancestral souls. During this period marriages and other happy events are not held. People lead a simple and pious life offering libations and rice balls to the manes of their forefathers. In Christian tradition this kind of honoring the ancestors is seen right from the seventh century when Mass was conducted on the day after the Pentecost by the monks in memory of their deceased brethren. The Benedictine monk abbot Odillo (962-1048) in 998 A.D. designated Nov.2 as a day for the monks of Clony to pray for the souls in Purgatory. This custom gradually spread throughout France by the end of the tenth century. This custom was followed by all Catholic monasteries by the end of the thirteen century. The purpose behind this ceremony is to cleanse and make fit the souls in purgatory to enter the abode of heaven. Conventions like ringing of bells, sharing of soul-cakes, lighting candles, pouring holy water and decorating the graves with flowers, and offering prayers are observed to give peace and pray for the blessings of the Lord towards  suffering souls. There is a church yard just beside the road that leads to my residence. The deserted Churchyard in a gloomy corner suddenly ,one day, wore a festive look with bright lamps, bouquets, cakes and neatly dressed people singing songs accompanied by music. Those dismal tombs came alive and seemed to warm up by the pious and devotional atmosphere breathing sweet incense and music.  My heart was very much moved on seeing that grand spectacle which really seemed to me “ the Commemoration of the departed “ beloved souls.

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