Father 1 - My Beloved Father Poem by Geeta Radhakrishna Menon

A tall, handsome six footer,
A resolute chin,
A defined jaw line that can boast of aristocracy,
A passer-by would not miss him.
Dark like the mills & boons heroes,
Donning a military cap,
Definite steps as he walked
With military boots - thud - thud - thud
With a stick in hand just to wave- wave- wave
An awesome figure - cannot go unnoticed
And that was my father! My beloved Dad! !

My father - very different from my mother
Dark, broad-shouldered and strong,
While my mother fair and petite,
Large attractive eyes versus small penetrating eyes,
My mother like a pretty princess to her rich parents
My father forced to earn a living right from his teenage.
Yet, with these contradictory and contrasting qualities
When they met, there was a spark between them - a chemistry!
A tide of love like the sun's attraction for the moon,
That remained ever fresh for fifty years of their wedlock.
Am I not lucky to be born to this winsome couple?

Dear dad, you were like a banyan tree,
Sheltering your family under its shade,
Protective and generous,
Yet, a strict disciplinarian too!
As a kid I was so frightened of you
That I would hide under a table or would take to my heels,
Having made mistakes in my maths or science
Or for picking up a silly quarrel with my siblings!
For all the foolish pranks of my childhood days,
You were so tolerant, kind hearted, ever ready to forgive,
And, above all, taught me the dignity of living with honour!

I remain ever grateful and indebted to you, dear dad,
Most importantly for the education you gave me,
I knew it was tough for you to spend so much
For my education in schools, colleges,
Dance and music, yet you did it with your sweat
And sacrifices- determined to be a winner!
You embellished my life, beloved dad
Not with precious jewellery or silken garments
But with books, books and more books
So that I could read, explore and swim into the world
Of brilliant minds - great poets, authors and philosophers!

I have heard you thank each and everyone you met
Be it a friend, family or even a vendor on the street.
Now, that you are no more standing tall before me,
I cannot look up to you and ask questions,
Or enter into an argument of sorts with you
On varied subjects, events and issues,
Nor find a solution to my problems!
Now, I thank you each day, my beloved dad
For your care, learning, and the value of education!
I am convinced that your spirit is hovering around me
Protecting and shielding me from the onslaughts of this wild world.