When I came into this world

You stood by the birthing chamber anxiously

One of two men pacing up and down before that door

Both rejoiced when they heard the indignant wails cried angrily

Floating in through the painful shrieking walls of Childbirth

Growing up, you were the guide

The wise old man who had all the answers

We climbed the thousand steps to Mahavira ’s summit together

You on your feet, me with you as my ride

The Sanjeevani in your hands

Issued relief when I was in ailing distress

I ran to you when my nightmares

Woke me up in cold sweats and shaking with stress

With a wave of a hand

And an incantation of your voice

You chased all the ghosts away

Turned off all my mental noise

{sidebar id=22}

You taught me to hold a chalk

Held my hand through my first alphabets

Gave me my first paint-brush to wield

Told me my senses could be fine-tuned instruments

You rejoiced at my silly victories

And comforted me in my foolish defeats

Told me the same stories again and again

Never growing weary of those irrational requests to repeat

When I grew older

I saw who I would be in old age

When I looked at you

Your wizen yet noble and wise visage

At the end of my hardest day

When I’m worn out and breathing raggedly

Your memory gives me succor

And your words ring in my ears ever steadily

Even in your last moments

You held true to your word

You didn’t give up your final breath

Till you met me one last time at that momentous crossroad

As your vessel finally lay

Lifeless still, in calm repose

I know your spirit merged

Back into the Primordial eternal source

Even today,

Or until the end of my years...

Your noble memory

Will wipe my most anguished tears

Be a good human being and please all our ancestors...

May I live to be (to someone) all that you have been to me

Hear this, my ode to you my grandfather...

From now on till eternity