My Departed Brother Poem by Padmanabhan Ananth

From the clinic, they brought him back
He was lying still on my mom's lap
Her welling tears fell on his cheeks, cold
Breath had left, taking away the soul

When living, he was so full of life
His siblings knew his every like-n-dislike
His body was no doubt weak and frail
His enlarged heart taking on him its toll

A simple meal was for him, arduous deal
He didn't have appetite even for a morsel
He took his baby steps only when a boy
As feet were bony even for his frail body

But scale-model cars made him go crazy
If their doors opened, he'd even go tizzy
Kept count of each passing streetcar
Their makes and models, all by heart

Gramophone records he was so fond of
Their look and music lit up his entire face
When record changer placed the next disc
On turntable, he'd giggle with exultant glee

Class topper in academic scores
'Apple of eye' to the school teachers
Cursive writing class notes - his pleasure
Collecting pencils, other littles - his treasure

At the same time, he indeed was tender
And so possessive of his younger brother
Not once feared to express his voice
With siblings, friends or the locality boys
Not once letting his health dampen spirit
Firmly would he use vocals, for effect

Docs said he can't bear an open heart.
Seems never was, he had to early depart
How I wish more decades he'd survived
Dr. Devi Shetty* here would've sure cured

That fateful noon of September twelve
In mid-seventies, he came home very still
Deep rue shook every elder's heart
I, a mere school boy, couldn't feel the hurt

I know I've long ago lost him indeed
But he remains etched firmly in my mind
Wonder why so young he had departed
Perhaps, elsewhere he was more wanted!
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*A reputed cardio-surgeon based in Bangalore of the famous Narayana Hrudayala chain of hospitals.