MEMORIES
Landing at Cochin, I switch on my mobile,
"Ma'am, may I have your attention for a while?
We have, at a special price for you, a fabulous refrigerator,
Which can easily freeze the scales off an old alligator",
There would be tinkling laughter on the other side,
- "Shut up, Basu", she would laughingly say,
"Tell me, this time, how long will you stay?"
This evening as the sun did set,
This lovely seagull flew home to nest,
Swooping, wheeling, soaring deep into the sun,
In a sheer abandon of unfettered freedom and fun,
And for the last time as she looked back to distant shore,
She saw us wave helplessly - and we could cry no more,
Gone is that tinkling laughter, gone is that soothing voice,
Gone is that naughty twinkle this world will nevermore see in your eyes.
Farewell, dear Shobha, for the last time now, adieu,
I think we loved you more than we ever realised or knew.
The hour is near for us too and the hands stand at eleven,
I wonder if they need refrigerators in heaven?
~Basu~