Gone too soon (NaPoWriMo)

Flashing eyes, acerbic tongue
oodles of sass, a touch of foolhardiness
the mind of a genius in someone so young
melancholy cloaked in haughtiness
forever crossing swords with authority
impudent smile cocking a snook
never a part of any sorority
her pained soul always misunderstood

and then we both moved on
as we were meant to

not many I met were like her
though I mentored quite a many
some memories are a blur
some keep returning like a bad penny
yet some burn as bright as flame
voices from the past keep them alive
she did have her tryst with fame
am filled with deep satisfaction that she did thrive

and thus began my quest
those old ties to renew

I am reminded of the portrait that hung in her room
the eyes seemed to look right into my soul
same deep melancholic eyes I had viewed
the news the phone brings fills me with gloom
in place of my heart I feel a hole
how could fates be so skewed!

gone on the cusp of prominence
Justice, I wonder, where are you!

Amrita Sher-Gil’s self portrait

This is a 1931 self-portrait by Amrita Sher-Gil, depicting one of India’s most important modern artists at the age of 18. Sher-Gil’s self-portraits are painted with an intensity that is almost hypnotic, drawing the viewer into the innermost psyche of the artist, where one discovers a sea of melancholy. She died at the age of 28.

This NaPoWriMo prompt asks you to write a poem in which you first recall someone you used to know closely but are no longer in touch with, then a job you used to have but no longer do, and then a piece of art that you saw once and that has stuck with you over time. Finally, close the poem with an unanswerable question.

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