I remember the days

when you walked with me

holding my fingers tightly

to the nearby kindergarten,

With a tiny school bag

and water bottle around your neck

tiny legs in the tiny shoes,

You, a ever demanding child

with never ending desires

I, a penniless father

contended with life’s platter

trying to save for the rainy days.

Often, when I reached home

you were fast asleep

with toys and books spread

on the desk and the bed.

Your days of struggle

were my days of toil too,

testing time of our feelings

untold, unexpressed and buried !

Then one day,

I peeped into your room

admiring yourself in front of the mirror,

wearing my dress

as you stepped into my shoes,

My heart spread an inch

and it did pinch

for I realized late,

my tiny toddler was now little prince !

Your teenage days

with friends, good and bad

 failed your exams

and wept and cried ,

Felt ignored and let down,

I stood watching helplessly

and cried not , for your failure

But ,when I just could not express my love

I failed as a father !

You slipped from my hand

like the sand of time,

slowly and silently

into the smoke of addiction,

I tried to persuade and convince

as I lost my prince

to failure and frustration,

Submitting himself

to the demon of intoxication!

 My baby, my son

break the chain of slavery

free yourself from the prison

of death and depression

Your father waits with open arms

weak and tired,

ready to walk with you as a friend

towards the life’s dead end,

Where we can live with

fun and enthusiasm

for your single step forward

I will keep a thousand

to cover the loss.

My every action and words

were never meant to hurt you

but somewhere ,sometime

when you understand it

I may not survive and exist

still  my love will persist

with my prayer for ever

in you ups and downs,

You are my head and my crown!

I was never  rich

still  without you a pauper

for your are my lifetime achievement

and my only wish,

for my life begins with you

and ends with your well being.