Just One More Day

Dad Revisited RIP 1924-2015 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 for 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 will I 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 10, 2015 Contest: Just One More Day Sponsor: Laura Loo