No questions asked
A tale of a child and an old man
‘Its a new decade, Grandpa’ cried the boy
His eyes shining with spark as the needles neared the end
The Grandpa, half-asleep, woke up annoyed
‘Ah, it will just be another decade for me to die’ said the old man
Guess the Grandpa isn’t one for rhyming scheme, thought the Dad who sat in his balcony with his notepad, sipping his coffee, while gazing at the landscape of Bay Area.
‘But I will get to ride a bike’ screamed the boy,
His innocent excitement in a shrill voice
‘I will explore the 7 seas to destroy
world records as you did — you made that choice’
The Dad seemed worried as the workers carried large volumes of fire works at a distance to light up the night sky in 5 minutes. Everyone seemed to be racing against time, unaware of the risk of those explosives.
‘Oh I was a fool when I was young’ said the old man
‘To voyage against the deadly seas, against all odds’
The boy cuddled his toy — the swan
Dreaming of his days as a captain— or a pirate severing bonds
At far he could see ships like the ones his late father sailed. Quite majestic indeed but for the Dad, a void was within him due to that cruise. One that he wished his son would not feel.
‘As I traveled from the East to the West
Exploring destinations and Fests
My heart was always seeking your Grandmother
And the son I never got to meet’
Dad turned his head to see his son in deep sleep next to the love of his life. He smiled feeling grateful for not making his fathers mistake of ignoring what truly mattered. Yet, he wish he had a chance to reason out.
‘But life is short Grandpa!’ he yelled
‘You cannot be at two places at once
To chose the path less taken
You discovered what only a few find’
The Dad could not help but think that children held some of the greatest gifts that adults tend to forget — a certain kind of wisdom that is not lost in the fears of the world.
‘Yet I missed the blessings that most received’
the Grandpa started weeping
‘Surviving ain’t living’ shouted the boy
Mankind shall take strides in your findings’
His Son woke up and ran to witness the shift to the new decade. “Dad, do you think Grandpa will come out of the sea to see?” he asked. The father just embraced him and enjoyed every passing moment.
‘Boy, pay attention’ urged the old man
‘I know you don’t like being asked questions
But when it comes to life, family comes first
and afterwards, the wonders of the deep sea
No questions asked, thought the father, as he closed his book, and concluded his poem, to see what was to come. His fear of the fireworks subsided as his son held his hand tight. The mother came too, to see it together.
‘Son, pay attention’ read the letter
‘I know you cant forgive me for ignoring you
But I just hope you will understand the beauty
of the deep sea, and come join me some day’
It was midnight. No questions were asked. The world moved on. And the father forgave his father. The son however, never stopped dreaming.
‘Happy New Year’
