“Free spirit, loving mother and wife ”

Parmeshwar came into my life
When she became my brother’s wife.
And at that time I was fifteen,
Unfamiliar with the social scene.
The couple were known for their style.
And they stayed with us for a while.

Most nights they did the social round.
Occasionally they were found
To be at home and we would play
A game of bridge, on such a day.
For me this was a special thrill
Impressing adults with my skill.
Parmesh, though new, picked up faster
And very soon she was a master.

Soon thereafter they moved house
I saw them less, my only grouse!
And I in turn was off one day.
My studies took me far away.
Tanya was born in ’68.
And then after a rather long wait
First Nisa then Pirojsha came along.
Parmesh was always very strong

With a unique mind all her own.
Her flair and style were so well known.
Iconic restaurants bore her mark.
She could infuse her special spark
In the Godrej businesses as well
Her aesthetics you could always tell.

The simplicity of pristine white
And structures full of air and light.
And properties was the sector
In which she served as a director.
Her stamp is in their DNA
She was the one who showed the way.

To my mind the perfect part
Of her decorative art
Were her own homes, evolving spaces
Moving, changing, growing places
Where she could not only set the stage
But host parties that were all the rage.

Her list of friends was very long
And her ties were very strong.
But Parmeshwar had a cause
For which she worked without a pause.
The Heroes Project with Richard Gere
Helped to overcome the fear
Of AIDS with awareness drives
That helped to save many lives.

In September at an island retreat
All their family chose to meet
And celebrate by the sea
Their golden anniversary
Three generations all together
Enjoying the salubrious weather.

Those joyful moments will always last
As will the memories of the past.
Alas! We cannot help but grieve.
But all the same we can believe
She lived a happy, fulfilled life —
Free spirit, loving mother and wife!

This poem was specially composed on Parsiana’s request.