Bapu

First published in SETU, October 2020

Will he be reborn again?


Nonviolent, tolerant, defiant of norms
that lock people into boxes


Searingly honest


Who said he was great?


He was like you and me —
A student who evaded
difficult courses in university,
who was scared to give speeches.
A timid man was he — looked for easy options.
The only redemption,
his love of truth—


Who said he was great?


A quiet man who silently
sliced, analysed from inside
till peel by peel, he unravelled the mysteries
that life invited. Self-reflected devoid
of the glory that borders weave,
spliced hatred, dirt
till it all changed to tolerance and love.
Weaponised unviolenced silence


Who said he was great?


Lived for his passion — One world
undivided by faith, colour or creed.
Caste he defied when he crossed
the seas. No hatred for skin colours.
Fought with his wife. And yet
tried to give every human their rights.
He was a man — not a divine.


Who said he was great?


He nursed. Loved goats.
His own sons wept for uncare,
for they suffered — no school...

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