what to say
a loss of words
virus came
virus went
took our beloved Chhote Daddu
C. Daddu
Grandfather
Uncle
Husband
C. Daddu
what to say
He was beautiful
we could spew anger for eons against this virus
we call it SARS-Cov-2
we call it Covid-19
we also call it cold-blooded abomination
but it isn’t enough to bring our C. Daddu back
what to do
grieve, remember, cry
remember.
remember how he used to play Chess, Scrabble, video games?
remember how he went for long walks early in the morning
as the sun let loose its light to highlight his brilliance?
remember how
remember everything
remember his glorious life
his kindhearted nature
his ever-loving smile
then i ask
what is life
how is life
why is it so short
so unpredictable
oxygen
why does it take only one day
to go from 92 to 22%
why does it take one night
before your entire world turns upside down
what else can we use to describe it
what else can we say to justify the void
that has been left by our wondrous C. Daddu
all due to a virus
but alas, there is no time
to condemn
to argue
to be frustrated
for our time is short
and our lives limited
we must remember
honor
love
C. Daddu, thank you
for being with us
for sharing your exceptional gifts of
courtesy
compassion
resilience
you have been our best friend
our supporter
our grandfather
we know you are watching us from somewhere above
your classic grin
that heartwarming laugh
you’ve given us so much
we promise that we will always remember you
Godspeed.
by Archit Kalra