“Your letters”

The last time I counted
They were nearing forty and going strong
One for each year of my life
And a half for the rest of me.


You wrote them on tissues, on government
Stationaries and letter pads,
And you wrote them on 15 paisa papers too,
Until the e-mail come along.


Death come calling
Through electronic mails and I
Live with my children tending
And pretending that there will be more.


Your letters, hard and strong.

19-07-03