Famous Last Line

Dad Revisited- Once More Last night I sat up in bed and prayed a little longer, I asked god to send dad back for just one more day with great fervour. Dad was waiting for me in the verandah as soon as I reached, Seated on his cane chair with legs outstretched. Suited- booted, neat crisp turban, expectant eyes so tender The same tweed coat, the warm muffler across his shoulder. The moment he saw me he fumbled with his walking stick, Stood up took a few steps forward in a nick. We embraced each other tight as he planted as kiss on my head, I nuzzled against his warm coat enjoying the love of my figurehead. Warm drops of love fell on my cheeks, Saw oceans pouring through his teary creeks. 'I can't control them', he said chokingly, Feeling the other's heart beats we clung to each other tightly. 'Let's go to the garden, the grape fruit is waiting for you!' We walked together slowly over his leafy garden dew. Dad showed me the new cuttings and saplings he had potted for me, He pointed to the overgrown grass and said his workers were on leave. He said,' Ah, for more varieties of flowers! But the dogs don't spare them in my bowers'. We smiled and saw the overladen grape fruit trees, I plucked three grapefruits and said they would suffice with a tease. We slowly climbed up the steps to our sunny verandah to sit alone, He asked me what was it that I had wanted to tell him over the phone. I read out my poem, '13, West Macott Road', a nostalgia shakeup, Of our ancestral home in Poona where he had grown up. I was reared up there, too, by my grandparents, He wept and hugged each other, our undying love evident. 'I can't believe you had this talent and I didn't know about it till now, You always make me cry with your emotions, but no more willI allow!' He took out his kerchief to wipe my tears, his permanent flair, I was still sniffing when I sighted his empty cane chair. December 6, 2015 Sponsor : Laura Loo Famous Last Line I was still sniffing when I sighted his empty cane chair Mother heard the car door shut and slowly wobbled out Withered brow and wasted eyes she clasped me to her heart A year gone by and no solace yet without her mate A long hug of completeness lasting uncountable minutes With a deep sigh we looked at each other at length and smiled She bemoaned her growing pains and aches Wanting to free herself of her worldly encumbrances Dad's bed and memories were my only claim I lay by her side the night through recapping the nostalgic years gone by How he cycled me as a child, sitting on the carrier My foot entangling in the back tyre and Dad's fall, Flummoxed and helplessly looking at his bleeding knee and hands, How we slept under the open summer sky, dazzling with sparkling beauties Studying the Great Bear and other heavenly celesta's On our return from fields Mother feasted us with her most delicious culinary delights My ever smiling humble mother stored our yearly granary with perfect ease Yet the home maker sadly lived in Dad's shadow And in his absence has become a shadow of flesh and bones Frailer and weaker, more loving and expressive of her love Tears rolled down my eyes as I turned in bed to watch her sleep A day after the Ides of March she grows a year older, a year since Dad departed A surprise party we have planned for the sacrifices by the Woman of Worth March 14, 2016 Contest : Famous Last Line Sponsor: Laura Loo