The Paper Plane

The world was crumbling.

The sky was falling down.

The news seemed like a bad dream.

The pupils were blind

In the uncontrollable flow of tears.

Hapless me, running

From pillar to post

To see your mortal remains

Before it disappears

Into panch-bhoot.

Alas! the old golden days

Could come back for a moment.

Never wanted a vehicle

As long as your back

Was my favourite ride.

Who wanted heaven, when I had your lap.

Your handmade paper planes

Helped me reach my destination.

Each time travelling to each other’s place.

At times, travelling together.

How beautiful was childhood!

Unaware of cruel reality

Of today’s situation

I can only revisit the memory,

Cherish it forever.

Childhood’s gone in a snap

Taking your paper planes along

Now that you too are gone

I value the paper planes

More than the real ones.