death prevailed

A slight chill prevailed,

Nothing one couldn’t handle.

The pandits (clergy) were only half an hour late,

 

The men folk assembled in one room,

Cigarettes, cheroots, and hookahs were passed.

A strange quiet prevailed,

Except for the occasional clinks of glasses;

When served, was cold water.

 

A contrast, the room where the women sat,

Screams, howls and cries of despair.

The world might come to an end it seemed.

‘Nothing will be right again’,

I heard more than once.

 

The man in question,

Well, died he did.

Few felt bad he did.

Rather few.

 

An officer, a gentleman, a family man, a man of his word, humble, ha.

 

A couple of months have passed

 

Things do seem better for the friend in question.

No more beatings, no alcoholism, no one night stands to deal with.

Twenty first century India,

Like father, like son,

Like father, like daughter,

Mother, oh! Mother!