And There Were Sparrows

I was a child once

And there were sparrows.

You woke me up and took me to bath,

You even took a sip from my bucket.

We talked in the afternoons and played till dusk,

You even sang with me raising quite a racket.

I was a young once

And there were sparrows.

You read the letters, I wrote for my love.

But delivered not one, saying you were not a dove.

We met under your tree and you never reproached.

You even warned of strangers when they approached.

I lived and worked and life went on

And one day standing by my window,

I suddenly realized that you were gone.

I rushed to the gardens and looked around

All the efforts in vain as you were not found.

I went to the rooftops being very discreet

But could not spy you in this jungle of concrete.

I asked the trees also, but they are so few

And of your whereabouts none of them knew.

I am a man now,

And there are no sparrows.

I still remember, running through the trees,

With you as my companion, chasing after the bees.

Will my child ever feel this delight?

Will he ever see you in flight?

Will he ever have the bond, which we share?

I have failed you my friend and now I despair.

My time will come and this story will end.

But I hope to see you again, my long lost friend.

I will grow old

And will there be sparrows?