On Becoming An Orphan

 

I am an orphan,

Can you tell me why?

Yes, you guessed right,

Both of my parents have died.

You would never understand

Until it happens to you,

It’s just four months now

That I knew.

Prior to that

Both were alive, then one,

Now I must inform you

Both of them are gone.

How does one feel?

One feels parentless.

What is the main consolation?

Both are at rest.

But life goes on

As it invariably must

Although, only for who are left

So, no need to fuss.

Can one be an orphan

If parents are still alive?

Yes, of course this can happen

And I do not jive.

Examine the question

And perhaps you will see how

But you must do so carefully;

Try doing so now.

It happens daily

You don’t need to guess,

After all, this is by no means

Your most difficult test.

  

Question is: whose parents?

Now think about that

And “yes” for the answer

Could be a fact.

I notice you are still lost

How unfortunate!

I figured you to be smarter

But that’s my mistake.

Let me elucidate you

If that is possible,

You see I never thought

This would be a puzzle.

I am an orphan

But parents are still alive,

The fact of the matter is

Not all parents have died.

Just you imagine

If that were to happen…

The existence of humanity

Would be severely threatened.

Parents are a necessity

To ensure that continuity

Remains a definite probability

For human society.

Thank God for your parents

If they are still alive

For you will be an orphan

The moment both die.

In remembrance of Dad and Mum Russell

Deceased November 2009 and March 2020 respectively

Stewart Russell © July 2020