My Friend Taju!

My friend Taju gave me a Hug!

At 11. 30 PM on the Night of Thursday, May 21, 2009

At the Pan-Afric- Nairobi

My friend Taju hugged me .tightly

and said " till next time".

I will wait for the next time...


Taju's laughter...
Like the waves of happiness,
Engulf me..

Taju- the Chief-
organized a dinner for me...
Thomas, Krishnan, Brian. Aghi, and many friends..
We drove around
We lost the way
And then we found
We had the last supper at the Ruby Cut..

We laughed with him..
We raised a toast for his health...

We talked, ate and again laughed
We talked - sipping wine- and Laughed!

He talked about every thing.
Every thing under the sun...

He talked about his visit to Taj Mahal
And how both shared the same name!-

He talked about his favorite Bollywood Film
Mera Nam Joker!
He hummed an old Hindi song...

He talked about our TV interview at Addis Abbaba
He talked about politics and poetry

His roaring laughter can do magic....
He could dissolve sorrow and anger
With the most affectionate laughter...

He talked about the taste of fish we ate at Soi 24,
Taju my friend talked, ate , laughed....
and celebrated life...

He promised to come back to Bangkok
I promised to take him for the sea food at Soi 24.
I promised to take him for a foot massage at Soi 18
I am still waiting for my friend, Taju.

Let us celebrate Taju
His laughter, his wit, his life, his insights,,,,
his love..
His unending passion for Africa

Taju fills my heart and eyes...
with happiness and tears..
Taju makes me laugh and cry
He does not like tears!
So I would laugh for my friend



My dear friend, Taju gave me a hug!

At 11. 30 PM on the Night of Thursday, May 21, 2009
At the porch of the Pan-Afric- Nairobi
My friend Taju hugged me .tightly
and said " till next time, Comrade".

I am waiting for the next time ...

.....

Thank you Taju....
Thank you Taju.

Good Night, my Comrade!

Sleep well!


John Samuel.25.04.2009

( In memory of Dr.TAJUDEEN ABDUL RAHEEM- who died in a car accident on May 25, 2009 early morning in Nairobi. Taju- as we fondly called hin- was a Pan-Africanist, Scholar, activist and fellow-traveler)