On Our Papa’s Passing Away
Day by day, he struggled
To keep himself alert
His health gave way gradually
He saw visions we did not see.
The brightness of the day receded
Far, far into the wild
He probably was aware
The sun would soon set, not rise
Darkness would cover the tide.
We held his hand to reassure him
He would soon be fine
But Time waits for no one
It stood there by his side
Each day he grew weaker
But strength of will survived
The dark day was over
We stood there by his side.
We held his hands in ours
To give him confidence
To let him feel we know his doubts
That flooded in his mind
Suddenly he freed his hands
He had no wish to be tied.
That night was too dark
The stars did not shine
The moon crept away to hide
Behind the grey clouds divine
The shrill cry of the phone at night
Shrieked to announce
The dark night was too dark
Papa’s soul had reached God divine.
We love you papa each hour of the day
We miss you so much we cannot say
Your smiling face
Your teasing ways
Your loving caresses we miss each day.
~Shobha Diwakar
Jabalpur, India