Dear Sparrows Where Have You Gone

Little birds, my source of joyousness,

I know you since the finest moment of my childhood curiousness.

Your sweet chirp was my alarm tone,

Redundant was the alarm clock or the app on my phone.

Come and wake me up, dear sparrows.

Every day from our balconies, some of us watch you with utmost fascination;

Some selflessly feed you with great affection.

While some, maybe most, do not pay heed,

Towards your stubby trunk, short tail, and the cute beak

Through which you pour the entrancing melody.

Friendly sparrows, don’t deprive us of your song.

Why are you abandoning us?

Think about those among us,

Whose day begins with your sweet chirps.

You've lived with us for ages,

Became our house member, of sorts.

Don't leave your home, little sparrows.

Your disappearance is troubling,

You aren't just another bird to boost Earth’s biodiversity,

You are an indicator of a civilization prosperity.

I think AR Rahman has dedicated a song for you —

O nadaan parindey, ghar aa ja, ghar aa ja.

Do listen to it, innocent sparrows!

It's not like humans don't love you.

Sometimes we may ignore you,

But I'm sure, none of us hates you.

Human greed and their obsession with self,

Turned you, too, into an endangered species.

I'm hopeful we can manage to keep you out of the red list,

help you flourish, for the next generation.

For now, break your sulk

And

Come back my dear sparrows!

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