The Year That Was

The year that was defined

by pandemic,

work from home,

school from home,

and by the establishment's struggle

to show everything was normal.

But if anything,

it wasn't normal.

It was about letting go

social life,

letting go

meeting with the loved ones

even those who lived at seven kilometres,

letting go

small celebrations

and letting go

to gather and protest.

The year that was,

of misinformation,

of lying,

of burying information

of selective justice,

of denying rape and suicide,

of superstition,

of polarisation

of horse-trading,

and elections,

a marker of a new normal.

It was the 'new' normal,

for the working class,

and travellers in public services

with wearing masks,

using sanitisers, and

social distancing.

But in the new normal

we couldn't let go,

Outdated learning,

Outdated methods of doing things,

and being selfish.

When we should have focussed

on health and nutrition,

on fulfilling hobbies,

And on staying happy,

We continued

We pushed,

we fought,

to keep everything as is.

In a way we fulfilled

the ruler's wish.

The year that was

of losing people of all classes,

to suicide,

to the disease,

to fear of disease,

and to walking thousands of kilometre home,

because there wasn't another way,

or money.

The year that was,

of death,

and death alone.

#2020 #bye2020

A Rememberance

How do we live every day without you?

How do we not miss you? 

Why have you gone so far that our voice won't reach you? 

Why did you leave so many forts and mountain un trekked? 

We had a pact of visiting Himalaya in this life. 

With Whom should I compete when a plateful of rice is served? 

Whom should I ask to teach me how to ride a bike? 

In whose eye should I look, which gleam at my happiness?  

Why do I forget to be happy anymore?  

I wish your fate could have been averted.

My mornings begin with the guilt,

when last time we met,

that I didn't cook for you.

My mornings begin with the guilt,

you couldn't see my kid 

for one last time,

My mornings begin with the guilt,

I should have been there,

and I wasn't.

That was a dream,

When I was screaming,

your name in nether,

searching for you,

hoping to see you 

one last time.

But I have seen your lifeless body,

I have witnessed that day

Grief engulfed my uncle's household

like never before.

After your last rites,

I returned home,

I don't remember if I ate plateful rice,

I remember many days after that day,

But I remember your handsome face,

That gleam in your eye,

and our hikes and treks,

I remember to keep you with me for every hike, 

after that day.

Gone too soon, people say.

For it is true, 

But, you will be always alive,

in lifelong memories

you have created with me.

(In Memory Of my Brother Mahesh whom we lost in May '14)