By Vinisha Shrimal, Class XII A
From the day he was awarded the title, till he gets too old,
‘The man of the house’, has a big duty to hold.
The shade of a tree, the warmth of the sun,
The wisdom of knowledge, the river of joy,
The patience of eternity, and the depth of love,
My father gives his child, these many precious things.
When I was a tiny kid, I remember one thing,
You scolded me for my good, and I was angry on you.
You came to me after some time, I was still feeling bad,
You asked me to look into your eyes, I saw how they swelled.
A tear rolled down your face, and I forgot the scolding.
For that day, the little girl realized, his world lies in her.
Even when she was wrong, his eyes were blurred.
I’ve seen the mountain before you, one you have to climb,
There’s a big journey ahead, that you have to fight.
This distance from now is big, that have stones everywhere.
I see you and I know, your health has stared declining
But the load of your family, keeps you doing and not quitting.
I have seen the strength you have within you,
I have felt the love you have for me,
I have witnessed some of the struggles, you had till now,
I can foresee the problems you might have tomorrow.
Still I feel helpless, papa, I can’t tell you to stop. I can’t even tell you to continue.
Why does being a capable person, take so much time?
Why you have to bear the burden, every time?
I’d always complained, you don’t have time for me,
But now I get it, you are arranging a better life for me.
Behind the screen I could see.
I always make a wish, and you make it happen,
I loved you for that reason, and forget when a new wish comes up.
This cycle has been going on, since my childhood,
Why do you keep my wishes above yours? Why aren’t you selfish at all?
You put your family first, as the only wealth you treasure in life,
With gentle care and quiet strength, all self-concerns set asie,
Heroes are a rarity, known for all they give and all they do,
One day I’ll make you proud and say my hero has always been you.
When things go wrong or the road seems missing, when funds are low and debts are high,
You fight it all, and never let it come to me.
You have been perfect in every way, in all you do for me and say.
However, one thing keeps you away from perfection,
Giving me all I wanted, for I could never learn an important lesson – Valuing your money and your hardwork.
You work for so long for a good pay, even when you are sick and tired, you go to work each day.
For me it’s like, I don’t go to school when I’m merely (a little) tired.
Do I keep you unhappy with my stupid deeds? Do I constantly disappoint you?
Every day since I was born, your love has been forever strong,
You’ve always been there for me, and here I promise, I’d always be on your side too.
Slowly I’ve developed a new perspective, of a man I’ve always known,
I’ve learned a lot, and experienced / felt some of his struggles a bit too.
If I’d understood these things in my childhood, I wouldn’t have made stupid demands.
I would have helped you in all that I could and never let you fight everything alone.
Turning to you, papa, I promise I’ll give you that one life where you’ll live for yourself,
And not just for family.
From today, from now, I’m on this mission, this strong ambitious feeling,
Cannot be well versed in poetry.
Still I convey to you this, whatever I do, will be for you.
If you see your happiness in me, I’ll see mine in yours too,
You wish to see me as a well settled person tomorrow,
I’ll further add something to this,
One day I’ll get the settlement, where I can give you,
All that you sacrificed in your life,
Making you cherish the world, you’ll love to see and live,
Away from worries and tension,
To keep your family always in comfort.
I dream of giving you a life, where it will be you,
Where there will be no sacrifices, regarding things you love to do or wish to have.
I will, I will, and I will
Only for you!
