Why don’t you come over sometime? .
There’s your old boombox
Gathering dust atop the TV.
We could sing along to
Kishore or Kansas,
Or to Jingle Bells, if you fancy. .
There’s a photo of us
Sitting by my bedside,
It reminds me of those merry times
When I was the center
Of your protected, charmed life. .
I’ve saved the last wine
You gifted me on Mother’s Day.
It lies unopened,
Still swathed in its shimmery gauze,
Waiting for the perfect day. .
I’ll whip up your favourite cakes,
Nevermind that I’m diabetic.
Or would you prefer pakodas or kulfi?
I know you’re health conscious now.
I swear I have a guilt-free recipe. .
The phone doesn’t ring anymore.
No, I’ve paid the bills like I should.
It’s because you just text now and then,
And all the rest are dead,
But I keep hoping, still. .
You stopped coming over on weekends,
Then on holidays too,
And now altogether.
The last time I saw your bonny face,
Was on a magazine’s cover. .
I know you’ll never come back to stay
But your room’s always been ready for you,
As if you’re only out at school.
Should you ever want to come back,
You’ll feel like you never left home. .
There are times when I wonder
If my life is unfair;
That when you needed care
I was always there.
Yet in my twilight years, there’s no one here,
My cherished nest lies bare. .
No, I’m not complaining,
I understand
you have work in the city.
I just need some reassurance,
A call, a hello, a hug, from time to time,
A reminder of my only family. .
So, won’t you please cover over sometime;
Tell me that you still care,
Or pretend to,
just for old times’ sake?
These arms, they seek
your comforting hug,
Before it is too late.
.
In memory of my grandparents, wherever they may be...
.
#poetry #grandparents #mourning #loss #poetsofinstagram #instapoetry
