How was it this time?
I asked my brother after
Missing Diwali for years.
He said-
The cousin with the funny
Nose had come and we
Made hot-air-balloons like
We did as children.
Grandma took charge of
Of the kitchen to prepare
Her signature once-in-a-year
Vermicelli dish.
Mom planned an elaborate
Rangoli- I helped her fill
The colours - she teared up
While she put your name
In the bottom.
Dad of course was
Grumpy all morning.
He did test everyone's
Patience yesterday evening
While he made all of us
Clean the house.
By 11 am today when
Everyone gathered to offer
Flowers to your photo.
Dad broke down for the
First time in three years.
I haven't cried it out yet.
And I've stopped bursting
Crackers. And just like
The future ones would-
This Diwali was grand too
In your memory.