Brother

Oh, brother, my dear brother!
Your death leaves me powerless
In tears and defenseless; yet conscious
A pain that surpasses all deaths
Beyond the deaths of Mama and Poppa

My heart is worn and torn
Not just a feeling of grief
In tears I write; hurt, anger, betrayal
A wounded and tattered heart
Overtaken by heartless thieves

All memories of our lives taken away
Loves in our hearts stolen
Substituted by chains of sorrows
Destruction perpetuated by evil men
Consuming us all days and at nights  

Like Mama and Poppa, not a photo to look upon
Heirlooms deliberately destroyed
Just the photo of you in my mind
Just images of you my beloved big brother
I hold the memories that fill my mind  

 ‘Time lessens grief,' they say
This statement is others’ relief
For me, this time, it is completely untrue
A myth; time will never heal your death
I am like an enraged lioness  

Your death tells men’s evil against humanity
Policies wittingly ignored by organizations
Governments not for the people
A world that abhors collaboration
Promoting competition, division and sheer greed  

I shall hold this grief in my heart and hands
A true, pure grief that is painfully beautiful
It’s the memory that I will cherish Mamadee
Pass on to your nephew, never to let go
And seek you out till my dying day, Brother

— My brother died in January of 2006 and I was not informed about his death until February 19, 2006

Dearest Mama

Dearest Mama
If you were here today
To share my bundle of joy
This gift and blessing, a dove
Adorable face smile daily
Bestow unwavering love
A bond upon my brow
Awaiting love from you above

Dearest Mama
I wish you were here today
To fix a kiss on my child
Hold him closely in your arms
Cuddle him when he cries from harm
Icon of grace and faith appraised
My baby knows not a daddy’s praise
Gift of life and light profiled

Dearest Mama
I gazed up again and again today
The stars are not white
I sing and call with all my might
Your wounds of war burnt by the sun
Damage to your eyes be gone; no scars
Aches by rebels calm as moonlit
That your smiles may light the stars

Dearest Mama
If you could come today
Not to give gold, textiles, argyle
But that sweet motherly style
To my son, your grandchild a smile
Today, I see you smiling with delight
I pray, Mama to be a mom like you
Watch us always with heaven’s light

A Post Card for Michael

Here, at the end of this journey we stand
With memories beyond mountains steep
Bruises, disappointments, detours
Trails buried deeply inside forever
Portrayal of strength and love

Beneath the stars and shadows of the sun
Side by side; you and me always
Your strength you give generously
Unrelenting, when hopeless looms
My guide, when I linger in doubt

You have taught me a thing and two
The value of confidence of others
Beautiful and most valuable asset
Sublimates and enriches every task
Amid roughness and serenity, Hope beckons

With you, I eagerly liven up every day
Forever clinging to what's ahead
Not stonewalled by the dim and dense past
Nor paused to wrestle back in fear
And never turned away by qualms

It's like a dream; me and you, a team
You are always there, at my side
No time to lament what’s lost
Wearily leaving fixed imprints
Everyday; faced with a challenge or thrill

Here, at the end of another voyage
Know that I delight in the gift of your company
And so, this day belongs to you
Underneath your happiness is my pride,
And it shall ever be the base of my strength

Rejoice also for what lies beyond today
The sunrise and sunset of the new and the old,
Gripped with pride in all that you have given me
I will not bid farewell to the day nor the night
For moon and stars are unfolding; a new day begins

I am free, truly free!

Listen, I am free
Free to live a free life, to live in freedom
Without your tyrannical disgust and gnarls
Free from your dim and oppressive confines
Away from your heartless orders of steel
No more untamed swords to hurt mankind
Unseal from those callous ordeal  

Oh yes, I am free
To enjoy the radiance of the sunshine
Savor the scenery of life and nature
Stretch my hands to the laughter of the wind
Relish the sun dance majestically on the sea
Watch the dolphins play and sing
Delight in the birds, flowers and trees  

I am really, really free
Never again to be held captive
Lost inside your den of maliciousness
Surrounded by pickets of your viciousness
Drifting in rivers of tears and misery
Alone, sad, cold and in fear
All sheer envy and inordinate selfishness  

I am absolutely free
To contemplate without your prying eyes
Pause and smile with all my heart
Ingenious, creative and inspiring gaiety
Tango with compatriots and friends
Illuminating a big ray of hope
Splendid beauty with sweet serenity  

At last, at last, I am free
It is my right to live a free and creative life
A right from God that humans live in freedom
I have fought and will fight for my right
You have lost, never ever to win
Defeated and languishing with a fixed grin
A lesson of envy, betrayal and hate is gained