As I look at him
from the stairs far away
lying on a bed
with his eyes closed
hanging on to life
just one more time
He has been a pillar of strength
of love, of support
a well-wisher
a companion
a person so deeply loved
that tears can't do justice
to this man
The man who took us to park
where life flew in swings
The man who taught me ambition
when Kalpana scaled the universe
The man who praised me
for whatever little I achieved
The man who picked us from school
when the bus broke down
The man I have so many memories with
The man I don't think I can forget
I feel such pangs of love
That tears flow through my eyes
like shadows of memories past
all flow in a single stream
He doesn't remember anything
for his memory is long gone
The ghost of dementia has claimed its prize
For him, who he is, is a surprise
It's hard to let go
of someone so close
despite his age
despite him being so frail
As love flows again through me
And I look at him with sad eyes
