Father Poem by ROOP REKHA BHASKAR

He gave me strength, to face challenges.
Power, to shrivel my failures.
Salute my skills and gifts.
Taught to abide rules of guidance.
And your feelings always bound with,
Compassion and concern.

Memory evokes; and I see his wisdom filled eyes.
When I stumbled numerous times,
I could not fathom his anguish or hear his cries.
Unable to weigh his principles, see his pride
For me; he stood as a teacher, a guide

Tolerating woes, muted by his duties.
Seeming strong but alone in mind, in spirit
Appearing brimmed with health, and blissful peace.
But within, shattering like a crystal glass.
Solitary; as none to share his tortured pleas.

Perhaps I took those moments for granted.
Perhaps I was oblivious to gauge his strength;
Perhaps I overlooked his warmth
Unknowing that he veiled his fear, for me to go forth.
Unaware, that silently, slowly he would leave far away.

You have shut your eyes to this world.
with only memories to cherish.
I wish I had another chance. Another few years,
Perhaps a few days? Or an hour, a minute?
To tell you a million things I never did,
When you there there, right beside me

Somehow, you are closer than ever before,
Somehow I hear you when despair engulfs me,
Somehow I know you stretch your arm,
And somehow you still stop me from a fall.

I will no more shed, for you – a tear
As you smile on me –from heaven above
Bestow blessings on my family!
I shall not ask for more – father dear
As I believe you are always near.