Poem : Farewell to Our Librarian

 

FAREWELL TO OUR LIBRARIAN

(I wrote this verse in 2013 to celebrate the retirement of our librarian at GSI, NR, Lucknow. Since joining the department in 1987, I was a frequent visitor to the GSI library, where she guided me through endless volumes of books on Earth Science with tireless dedication. Slowly I spent some time with her and we became good friends. I watched her face the challenges of acute osteoporosis with unimaginable grit; despite her visible physical pain, her spirit remained unbroken. Even in the final year of her career, she exemplified lifelong learning by completing her Master’s in Library Science from IGNOU.)

Whatever she sought  she found  the way

Something kept her happy each day

Maybe the recognition and respect

She gave to person in each aspect

It is always in work she's engaged 

And every second of time she utilized

Always in spirits so high

She keeps her cool when others cry

As goes the old saying

you are alone if crying

I met her in Kolkata office premises

She walked slowly with her bent knees

Her pain kept off her face

Smiling profusely as she does always

I’ll miss her in the library, her favourite place,

Amidst heaps of books and a quiet space.

Unbothered by others who might take a peep,

With a dedication that is steady and deep.

With warmth and determination as her guide.

No matter the struggle, she’ll always shine ,

For she is a  fighter  woman with a spirit divine.

-Pankaj  Mala Bhattacharya