I watch you there invariably
Brown, scraggy, unkempt hair
As you look at me almost happily
And extend your hand for a fare.

Over the past few days
You have begun to recognise me
I see you in the morning and evening rays
With friends, and your usual air of bonhomie

The other day I asked your name
And you smiled so shyly
Now every time you wish to play a game
Hurriedly and incessantly.

I am charmed by your innocence
the dimple on your chin
feigning indifference
you dance and you spin.

Like a little fairy
casting a spell
you are trying to be merry
even when you know all is not well.

But time is short
The traffic lights change colours so fast
You are barely able to clear your snort
And the car is almost past.

One day came the monsoon rain
And you stood there wet and shivering
I could see the fever and the pain
Your little sister in your arms, quivering

The wiper cleaned the windshield glass
I sat in the back-seat in my designer suit
But alas, I let the moment pass
Left you behind, drenched wet and barefoot.

In the evening I searched for you everywhere
Enquired about your fate
They said you were not there
Indeed it was too late.

I drove up my apartment’
atop the Malabar Hill
thought of my friend in heaven
and had dinner at Zodiac Grill.

Over Dom Perignon we discussed the BSE index
the entry of FIIs
cricket, movies, economics and sex
but no one could hear my heart cry.

On the way back from nowhere
I paused and stopped my car
I do know you are up there somewhere
My little twinkling star.