Baba

By Gaurav Parab

Now,

That you are gone

I can only look

Across the room

To an empty chair

And a whisky glass

Which had Rum

Where you would sit

Watch TV

Watch sports

And we will shake our heads

About the government

Say something in your made up language

To the dog

Who would look up at you

Like I looked up at you

Reach out to the drawer

And that mouth organ you played

Baba, that mouth organ you played

And we would all go crazy

Slowly

And after a while

You would take that book about fathers and sons

And throw it out of the window

And I would pick up the book about Gods

And look at you

That’s what you were

A God

Now, that’s what you are

A God

In the sky

In your chair

Or wherever Gods go to

And I know

As I look at that chair

I am left without

Your words

Your presence

Your intelligence

Your love

Your sacrifices

Your strength

God, they made you strong

And I know

I am left with

Your words

Your presence

Your intelligence

Your love

Your sacrifices

Your strength

God, they made you strong