A Tribute To My Boss

Some men see things as they are and say why,
I dream that never were and say, why not?
— Rober F. Keneddy
†
How often do you come across the one
who leaves an indelible mark on you?
For me, he was my boss, the CEO
of my company: its charm, its glue.

He was the leader who’d tell me to take
the driver’s seat, ‘n’ would sit in the back,
knew how to praise, and make me run,
and throw the challenge in a way that was fun.

I’d have an illusion as if I were the CEO,
and he would give me the latitude and power.
Even before the Board he’d vividly raise
my achievements, with a shower of praise.

I was too fast; he was reflective and slow.
All often said, it’s a deadly combination to go.
Together, we can achieve a lot, he would say,
and we can overcome the hurdles on the way.

A carefree guy the worries couldn’t touch.
while I thought: without being really serious,
we certainly cannot ever do much,
he said: “Work smart, not necessarily so hard!

Make the people feel important, they’d do
for you what you can’t even imagine.
Give generously but make a difference
between good and bad: that makes a sense.

Always look for the talent one has,
more than the skill sets that one can acquire.
If one has passion, long way one can go,
experience’s not always what you’d require.

The promotion upward is not necessarily good,
what’s the use of promoting Picasso to a manager! ”
We tried his offbeat ideas and saw the results:
imaginative, innovative, and successful as they were.

In the tight bureaucratic government’s structure
nothing seemed to move—but not for me ever.
I had reputation to manage somehow or the other.
This was India, but I got his full support and favor.

In a short time, we set up the big plants;
seven times we expanded beating deadlines;
I rushed the equipment against all odds;
motivated the team, and ignited their minds.

We traveled around the world on business,
building the company, enjoying the challenges;
life flew like a deeply gratifying dream;
we left behind a trail of rewards and successes.

By leaps and bounds, the company grew,
and it made a name with tremendous growth.
But then there was a sudden change in the Board
that proved short-sighted, attracting the sloth.

Most affected and sidetracked was this man,
my boss: he bore this all with a heavy heart.
Too old to restart a new career elsewhere,
he looked to me for that he wished to share.

I was still young; I certainly could have changed,
but didn’t want to leave him alone to suffer,
I adored him; for me he had a special love, regard,
so I stayed on though the situation got rougher.

He was thirty years older than me but as if
he was a buddy, a guide with loving kindness.
Twenty-seven years, a major span of lifetime,
was a rainbow of joys, sorrows, and togetherness.

Gradually he lost his health, and was one day gone;
his wife told me he was calling me while he died.
O, I can only but cherish his long company, his love,
and a deep bond, enjoyment, thrill, and pride.

O heart, what do you after all so much grieve;
for in the memories, he shall always live!


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