Naveen – A tribute

'Naveen' means fresh, creative, bright
'Naveen' was my mom's youngest brother's name
"He died when he was two," my grandma told me
with a tear in her eye.
"A long, long time ago."

Yesterday, Naveen died once again
This time, he was twenty-one
A year older than my daughter is now
He was studying to be a doctor-
Learning to not give up, learning to give hope

It wasn't just Naveen who died-
Yesterday
But all the people Naveen could have 
saved; had he lived. 
They died too, yesterday.

And with him, 'Hope'- she died as well
She was hurled out yesterday
By 'Reality'.
They say it's not the government's fault; I agree
They say Naveen should have evacuated; I agree

But, Naveen was twenty-one;
A child, still- filled with hope 
and disbelief in
the possibility of War;
So, he stayed on; but it wasn't for long

'Reality' plucked him; it shook our core
And we cried - for Naveen and for every child 
Who dares to dream 
And has his dreams ripped apart
In an unfair world.


This poem is a tribute to the 21 year old medical student, Naveen, who lost his life yesterday
in the war in Ukraine. May his soul rest in peace and may God give his family strength. 
Our prayers are with all those who are stuck in the middle of conflict for no fault of theirs. 
May God have mercy.

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