To Be With My Mother

That was the time

She would answer all my calls for help,

Whether I was hurt or simply missed her

When I was alone;

I loved my mother,

She left me grieving years ago.

I was far away in Mumbai,

The day she died in her sleep in Delhi.

Many a time she had assured me,

I was welcome wherever she was

Ever since,

I have called her again and again,

To take me to her for all times to come;

To date, there has been no response,

She hasn’t come to take me away.

My tiresome journey continues without her,

My love for her has not faded.

She cares for me;

She won’t let me down.