O Appa, Dear Appa

O Appa, Dear Appa

O Appa, dear Appa, your wonderful life is done,
From this day forward, a new journey begun.
The priests are here, their chants so clear, hymns vented in the air,
Friends and relatives, from near and far, grieving for you so dear.

But here you are, so rigid, so far
Lying still on the marble floor
Your body so cold to the touch,
Your faithful heart beats no more.

O Appa, dear Appa, wake up and hear us all,
Wake up just once more to give your cheerful call.
From distant lands and nearby ports, the messages keep pouring in,
They have lost their dearest friend, their kith, their kin.

Here appa, dear appa, let me hold your head
You have been my rock, my dad, my dearest friend.
I can hear your calming voice when our life was in turmoil,
I can see your joyous smile, even in pain a foil.

My father does not answer, he has no pulse, no will.
In a life to us memorable, he has had his fill.
Close family and friends at hand to share their personal due,
In their own special ways, reflecting on a memory or two.

Goodbye dear appa, I need to celebrate.
You have given me everything, you are to me truly great.
In some small measure, there is a bit of you in me,
As I learn to grow that measure, I too will be free.