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| Happy Birthday Amma |
What if I answered the door and you stood there,
Adjusting the jasmine strand on your plait
Smiling, chuckling, teasing
As if you’d never been away?
What if I answered the phone and you said ‘Hello?’
The smile radiating through your voice
Entering my ears and warming my heart
As if you’d never been away?
What if I turned a corner on the street
And ran into you as you’d turn and say
‘Shall we buy this?’
As if you’d never been away?
What if I watched the sunrise
And turned around to see you next to me
Saying ‘It’s beautiful isn’t it?’
As if you’d never been away?
What if I sat with a frown and
I suddenly feel your hand on my head
And hear you say, ‘Silly little worrier!’
As if you’d never been away?
It’s not wishful thinking I know,
I’m sure there’ll come a time
When the ‘what ifs’ will become ‘it is so’
At a special place where people don’t go away
Until then, Happy Birthday!
I’ve couriered a toothy smile and a happy thought
(For you wouldn’t accept anything less)
On a ray of dancing sunlight
And I cherish your response
In Hamsa’s eyes
And in my own breath.