Dreams to Ashes

A big bunch of hopes and dreams

some to start with new careers

others hoping to practice as doctors 

some to see their loved ones overseas

others to earn few more pennies.

With a pack of dreams, boarded the flight

Seat belts fastened with hope and trust

Clicked selfies with smiles and eyes bright

Bon Voyage message to their delight

was still flashing in mobiles at their sight.

Plane zoomed through the runway 

Wings and flaps geared up in the sky

 Just a few hundred feet lifted up high

Flight’s thrust lost, started dipping, nay

Pilot yelped loud  Mayday  Mayday.

Hit the medical hostel with big thump

Ball of flame engulfed the scene up

Doctors’ building razed and  healers gone

Stethoscopes lie dumped to the ground

Promises perished and stories stalled.

Oh! mothers’ wails and fathers’ cries,

Now haunt Ahmedabad’s dark skies.

In a minute, dreams turned to ashes

Alas! in each heart a memory stays,

Of  voices  lost in smoke and blaze.

       …..Narayan Gadagkar