Outdated Spectacles - Tide of Ambivalent Memories

- Pooja Karnani

Looking at these old pair of glasses
Makes me remind of someone among the masses
I found it in the store room
And it took me to the past very soon

At first I thought..
Who on earth, such old fashioned spectacles would wear..?
Being laughed at would be the fear
Then a voice inside my heart I did hear..
And I found my grandfather very near..

I still remember those fairy tales..
Listening to which in slumber I used to sail..
I used to make him engine of my rail..
His wrinkled hands I used to hold in strong gales..

That sweet taste of candy filled my mouth
That he used to give me..
Grabbing that I used to flee
And used to hide in a corner of the house..
Where I could be found only by a mouse..

On his back I used to have a ride
To lift me he used all his might
For me used to bring my favourite 'jalabees'
He was the owner of all the important keys..
For his services he never asked for any fee
His heart was filled with love and care for me..

On him I used to play funny tricks
Lots of salt in his food once I mixed
Thrice on the ground his shoes I fixed

When he went out to attend the fair..
To reach the top shelf I fetched a chair
Quickly I opened his wardrobe
And all the sweet candies I stole..

He used to narrate stories to me in the night..
Moral values inculcated by him, for me are a source of light

These spectacles though outdated,
Painted all the memories that had faded.
In my life he played a guide's role..
Now my guide is his soul..

This is such a precious thing I have found,
These spectacles which are round..
But my memory also revived those sounds..
When my grandfather was tied in a shroud..

Everyone's heart one day fails..
Crying for that loss we fill pails..
Though on this earth,
he took birth..
but one day everything comes to an end..
this sour truth, neither me nor you can amend…!