A Walk With My Gramps

A WALK WITH MY GRAMPS

The tale of a Kid merely Seven

ignorant of another reason to cry

lest parted of chocolates or cricket

Left in that gloom pervaded scene

Cries of anguish, pain and love

as someone made me touch a feet

squalled on my face.. uttered

" You wont see your grandfather again "

Settled on that white cotton fiber cot

untouched by the grief that summoned

wearing small white shirt and blue shorts

bewildering.. what might have happened

Even then i could not sense the sadness

the funny shaped clouds over, showed

the half hidden drops of dew still smiling

smiling at a grand son without a tear

Those were the wee hours of the dawn

being the only living soul with dried cheeks

even the pigeon on the roof sat still

i wished i could hear somebody speak

Looking at all those familiar faces crying

younger ones might be crying in fear

elder ones might be understanding all

i was in the middle of my own quest

Looking at my father jolted i got off

asked him.. why are you crying baba

he put his big palms on my small head

its no disgrace for a man to shed tears

My grandfather lay still unmoved

my big family all shouting and pushing

indeed he was dead.. and i was still

a voice said its time and cries became louder

They took the cot i was sitting on turned that upside down

the elder ones took my grandpa on to the cot

my mother holding my granny and all shouting for my grand pa

now out of the house i have never seen so many people cry

Then came the walk that remains ignited in my heart

those sounds of ram naam satya hai

i was walking just behind my grandpa

sheer anxiety to see something new

Four years past a decade gone

you didn't even took my shoulder

i cant even cry for the times i have not

the big family u left behind will enquire

Those beautiful black eyes with serenity of night

i still find when i look at those bright stars

watch us from the heavens above

sending all your kisses wrapped in love

I never listened to your last words

your son says u said "Miss me always, but let my soul set free"

we did that for you gramps

there is no forced air of solemnity around.. its all free

If u read this grand pa.. we have a lot in common

things that everybody knows we both do

and things that not everybody knows i do

I love you for you gave me your genes

That's the only time i remember

I WALKED WITH MY GRAMPS

everybody says he has just slipped into another room

i say.. HE NOW LIVES IN A CITY.. WHERE ROSES NEVER FADE