Saturday, June 30, 2018

Angelee Deodhar (In Memory—June 2018)--India

Double Helix
(Originally published, Poet of the Month honor at Whispers, December 2015)


Now a housewife, once a surgeon
a template for the DNA chain
like the double helix of her being
she’s reduced to wearing latex gloves
only while housecleaning every week
meticulously she dons cap, mask, apron

on a trolley arranged with surgical precision
lie her gloves, brushes, dusters, solutions
she drapes furniture with sheets of cotton
then pulls on her gloves tightens them
her size a neat seven

she prepares the area to be cleaned
with a weak Savlon solution
swabs it as she would an abdomen
in précis deft strokes
from above below left to right
never using an extra movement

and just as she had once done in the OR
she keeps soft music on – Strauss, Vivaldi
she wonders if now her DNA double helix
carries two genes
one for housewife one for surgeon

squeeze-drying the mop each time
she scrubs the floor surgically clean
removes the trolley
absently counting her instruments
removes gloves, cap, mask, apron
the overshoes

washes off the excess powder
from her hands and creams them
looking at them critically thrombosed
blue-veined yet soft supple
she warms them with her mug of coffee
and then takes up her pen
to write a poem.

Dr. Ms Angelee Deodhar, an eye surgeon by profession as well as a haiku poet, translator, and artist, who lived in Chandigarh, India. Her haiku, haibun and haiga have been published internationally in various books, magazines and journals. An award winning poet, Angelee has also edited several translation books and encouraged others at our online journal, an uplifting beacon of light in the writing community.

Editor’s note—I was informed that Angelee Deodhar has died. Angelee has referred writers to Whispers, allowed readers to share in her expertise with Asian poetry and supported many in our writing community. She will be missed by me and others. Please keep her and her family in your prayers.

24 comments:

  1. I am so sorry to hear this news. Angelee supported me in my creative writing with generosity and wit. R.I.P

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    Replies
    1. Dear Anne,

      Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts for this tribute to Angelee. She was both a friend and a mentor to many.

      Blessings,
      Karen

      Delete
  2. You will be deeply missed, Angelee... you nurtured and made a positive difference for many of us... ayaz daryl nielsen

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    1. Dear ayaz,

      I agree, my friend, in the difference Angelee made in many lives. I feel blessed to cherish her memory as well as her friendship.

      Blessings,
      Karen

      Delete
  3. This is sad time for her family and friends. In heavenly places God uses a person's greatest gifts in His kingdom immediately and forever. Sara

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    1. Thank you, Sara, to stop by to contribute to this dedication for Angelee.

      Blessings,
      Karen

      Delete
  4. Karen,
    Angelee was such a sweet person. She is deeply missed by me. as well as countless others I am sure.
    Yours truly,
    David Fox

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    Replies
    1. Dear David,

      Yes, Angelee will be missed by many. Thank you for stopping by and contribute to this honor of her.

      Blessings,
      Karen

      Delete
  5. Angelee Deodhar was a woman of many talents. She will be missed by family and friends...and those who got to know here through her poetry. May she rest in peace.

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    1. Dear Paul,

      Thank you for sharing you thoughts on our talented friend. I hope our words will bring some solace at this challenging time.

      Blessings,
      Karen

      Delete
  6. so sorry to hear that Angelee has passed away - this lovely poem is a fine testament to her talent

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    1. Dear Jack,

      This poem walks with Angelee...a spilling out of the challenges in life. I feel blessed have been her friend.

      Karen

      Delete
  7. She has a poetic spirit which will live on. I am sorry she is not with us on the earthly sphere but know she is in her true home in heaven.

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    1. Dear Joan,

      I trust she is in heaven too. Yet, her poetry lives on. She left us with treasure born of her soul. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.

      Blessings,
      Karen

      Delete
  8. Very well written Angelee,
    Women & men can have many talents, yet be noble in life's duty
    Knight writer

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    1. Dear Yancy,

      Angelee has given us a wealth of words...as poets/as readers...to enrich our lives. Her friendship is a gift, as she is a part of the souls who knew her.

      Blessings,
      Karen

      Delete
  9. I am so sorry to hear this news, her presence will be greatly missed. I so enjoyed her input and support she has given some of the work I have done with ayaz....many thanks to Angelee for everything...

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    1. Dear Peggy,

      This is a balm, to our shared experience expands as we live beyond this mine and marked land. It to our own shine. Happy Birthday to another year!

      Blessings,
      Karen

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  10. Angelee, friend and mentor, you are already missed. You introduced me to Whispers, and encouraged me to write haibun. But it is as friend that fills my heart. You were there. You were always there. Peace dear Angelee.

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    1. Dear Mary Jo,

      We share our voices that allow us to be as writers...own of growth and sense of blessings. In Angelee's writing, she allows to voice thanks to out own voices and become better in the process. I know that she b

      lessed my with her poetry and friendship. That is a gift!!

      I hope you for ways to keep her writing alive in her

      Blessings always,
      Karen

      Delete
  11. Thank you, Karen, for posting this tribute to our friend Angelee. She was a talented woman and a wonderful friend! Her family is in my thoughts and prayers at this sad time.

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    1. Dear Marianne,

      In celebrating others, the writing community reaches beyond the self to a spirit that bridges the song of the hear and now. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.

      Love,
      Karen

      Delete
  12. Thank you, Aju, for the following--

    I'm somehow grieved to learn that Anjelee has passed away. On her poem now in display in the Whispers in the Wind I have commented.

    Only a couple of days ago she answered my query about one of her books being celebrated as the book of the week by Haiku Foundation and today.

    I wonder how she isn't among us! But nothing to wonder. We may pass away while we wonder. I surely pray deeply to the Divine Mother for her safe passage and invoke her blessings for her soul.

    I hope that the comment would appear in due time.

    Regards,
    Aju Mukhopadhyay, Poet, Critic and Author

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    Replies
    1. Dear Aju,

      Thank you for your reflection on Angelee. She is a poet and friend that made a difference. I appreciate your insightful thoughts.

      Blessings,
      Karen

      Delete