Kalam is no more
A sage has passed away
A saint of action who lived his words
A human god who trod among human forms
Grace descended upon us from the heavens
When the usually warring politicians
Like a flash in a pan
Chose an angel to adorn
The tallest chair of the nation
Kalam, forgive my calling you so
Without the usual titles of respect
Because you were so very much with us
Unlike most heads of states
And moved among us as simple
As an amused kid in a park
A smile always perched on its face
You were truly Grace personified
And rode political storms
Misrepresented religions
Intrigues and machinations
Remained aloof and untouched
Like a lotus leaf in a murky pond
Keeping always the good of the nation in mind
That was a great feat
For a great writer and architect
Of a nation’s nuclear, defence and space dreams
To escape getting enmeshed
In the trappings of luring power
The nation should have made you
Its president for life
But, alas, that was not to be
Opportunism and political chicanery
Can’t afford angels in office
When hell is what they design
Kalam, you proved unique and exemplary
Raised the status of your august office to the skies
In a manner even your esteemed
Predecessors would have envied
You have now flown away
Flapping your wings
Like the eagle of one of your sayings
Above the clouds
Untouched by the rains
Indians one and a quarter billion
Prostrate here under a darkening sky
Beseech you: “Kalam, come back again
Help us show the world
What being secular means
Breaking an atom for peace
Being the king and yet remain a kid
A love-soaked human to the hilt
That even gods would envy”
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