Barely in my teens, I thought I was cool
After all, I could eat green chilis
Mama didn’t take me for a fool
Still, I took his challenge to have ten for ten rupees
He had a naughty grin on his face
And a booming voice
He was king of all he surveyed
You didn’t really have much of a choice
He wasn’t just a family elder
To whom you had to listen
But a natural leader
You could hardly question
His home was where all would gather
And his extended family would vacation
It’s where the party was for fellow officers
No matter the Air Force station
Playing host was forever his and Mami’s thing
For them cooking was an art
He was big on food and drink
Just like his moustache and heart
He was incharge of Air Traffic Control
You felt he could pull anything off
Managing airspace and pilots was his role
Also, nephews in shorts – you know what I’m speaking of
Long ago he enjoyed his rum and cigars
Later, whisky on the rocks and tambaku
Played bridge, rummy, teen patti – he did like his cards
On a separate note, he once traced and brought home my brother, Kaku!
About him there are many stories to tell
And to share them all may not be fit
He made folks laugh like hell
One time, I inhaled his sweaty armpit
He recently left for his final trip
The man called Makhan for his complexion
Will be greatly missed
But after his last battle, you can be sure he’s rocking it in heaven.