Dr Amrinder’s poem explores a grandchild’s curiosity about its aging grandfather, who shares a heartwarming tale of life’s journey, wisdom, and love, exclusively for Different Truths.

‘Grandpa, Grandpa, will you tell me please,
Who drew these wrinkles on your face?’
‘Life, dear boy Life, drew a map of the
Journeys I took, of the adventures I had.’
‘Grandpa, Grandpa, tell me why crowfeet
Spread out from the corners of your eyes?’
‘These are lines of genuine mirth though, I also,
Laughed, at the googlies, Fate threw my way.’
‘Grandpa, Grandpa why is your hair so very white?’
‘It was wild and black in my rebellious, youth
But has now, snowed down to quiet acceptance.’
‘Grandpa, Grandpa, will you tell me why,  
You have, these bags under your eyes?’
‘To store the wisdom of age, my child,
Gathered painstakingly over the years.’
‘Grandpa, Grandpa, how come you have,
Such a store of wonderful stories in you?’
‘It is experience, that I reproduce, dear child,
With a touch of humour, a twist of fantasy.’
Grandpa, Grandpa tell me why, though,
Your skin be loose, your muscles weak,
Your knees wobbly, your breath wheezy,
Your teeth missing, your vision dimmed,
The twinkle in your eye remains bright?’
‘It is the light of love that still shines through
‘Unbound love, for you my precious little one.’
He whispers tenderly into the shell-like ear,
Of the half-asleep, curly-haired child
Snuggled in the warmth of his embrace.

Picture design by Anumita Roy

Dr. Amrinder Kaur Bajaj

Dr Amrinder Kaur Bajaj is a senior gynaecologist, an award-winning author, columnist, and poetess. She also writes editorials for newspapers like The Times of India, Tribune and India Express. At present, she is attached to FMRI (Fortis Memorial Research Institute) Gurgaon. She also teaches Minimally Access Surgery to national and international postgraduate doctors at The Medicity Gurgaon.

See Full Bio