Father

She asked: How did your father die?
--I don't know. I was in abroad.
I knew what happened.
But I didn't want to respond.

When he exhaled for the last time
I was not by his side.
So, I don't have any memory--which is blissful.
He continues to live on.

He picked a broom often
and cleaned the floor.
He removed weeds from the courtyard.
He had tears in his eyes
when the daughter got married.
The daughter was happy to leave the house. 

My mother's eyes were dry.
And I, received all the emotions from him
cried in secret.
I never showed it to him.

Lucknow, India