A TRIBUTE TO MY GRANDPARENTS

There was a time when we frivolously hid behind the rocks;

gallivanted on golden sands of the beach trying to catch each
other,
While at the present moment we were sitting beside the
fireplace; snuggling our hands deep inside the blanket.
There was a time when we experimented with umpteenth items
of food in a single day; gulping each meal with gallons of
inebriating beer,
While at the present moment we commenced each morning with
a plethora of vitamins; relied on crushed fruit juices for
nocturnal supper.
There was a time we spent marathon hours in the sweltering day
clambering steep rocks; with our feet bereft of solid footwear,
While at the present moment we thoroughly leaned on our
walking sticks for aplomb; were quite content to remain confined
to the cozy interiors of our obsolete bedroom.
There was a time when we used to pummel each other in the
ribs; violently pluck each others hair in intense indignation,
While at the present moment we hugged each other tightly at
the slightest sign of thunder; shivered uncontrollably at hearing
the word crime.
There was a time when we bathed under gushing white water
streams; flinging our clothes at the tiniest insinuation of rain,
While at the present moment we anxiously waited for supply of
fresh water; scrupulously switching on the geyser the night
before we took a bath.
There was a time when we incessantly laughed; remained in
boisterous spirits even during unearthly hours of dawn,
While at the present moment we appeared as taciturn as
meditating saints; nostalgically reminiscing the events and days
of our life.
There was a time when we used to wear a host of gaudy clothes;
swirling uninhibitedly in the aisles of bombastic glamour,
flaunting our fair skin as we transgressed the streets,

While at the present moment we were clad heavily in bulky coats

and scarves; trying to save our flesh from the most diminutive
draught of cold.
There was a time when we didnt write addresses and phone
numbers; priding ourselves in possessing the stupendous ability
of remembering them,
While at the present moment we made sure we jotted down the
most inconspicuous of detail; the most minuscule of information;
so that we didnt forget it the very next minute.
There was a time we could sight invisible lettering at far
distances; without using any of the visual contrivances,
While at the present moment we found our eyes camouflaged
behind abysmally thick glasses; and had to profusely screw our
eyes in order to sight even the most magnified of images.
There was a time when we could snap obdurate sticks of
sugarcane into two; with the mere caress of our formidable
teeth,
While at the present moment we wore a pair of disdainful
braces; thriving on boiled extracts of spongy rice.
There was a time when we deliberately put the decibel level of
the music system to its highest; gyrating passionately under the
shimmering moon,
While at the present moment we talked in inaudible whispers;
shirking as far as possible from sources of obstreperous sound.
There was a time when we were entirely dependent on our
parents; reverted to them in times of utter distress and
tribulation,
While at the present moment we had grandchildren of our own;
a battalion of siblings we had procreated in this vast world.
There was a time when we had just tied the matrimonial thread;
with fantasies of unrelenting romance revolving turbulently
through our minds,
While at the present moment we lay extremely old and shriveled;
waiting to abdicate breath and blend our souls with the Creator.