To My Beloved daughter

You are the

First of my creation
That breathes life

It is because of your love

That I survived
Through many a turbulent time

When you came

Into my world,
You gave me
A reason to smile

I am your father
Not your mother
Hmm; these genders
And with them
These presumed pretenders

I did not have

A womb to carry you
I did not suckle you either
But baby, when you look me
In the eyes
I know so well
That you are my child

I mock the maker

I mock his mould
Let the world unfold
I can be the mother and father
Be the friend and guide, manifold

It is not the role, my love

It is not the mould, my child
It is just the heart
That guides
From that
There can never be
Any respite

Your infancy was such a delight

I re-lived my childhood
Holding your tiny fingers
Carrying you over my shoulder
From the toddler to the walk
I saw it all
 With palpitations and pride
Each little step
You took in your stride
Hearing you misspell my name
Was such a delight

Would let you call me by any name

Because it was such a pleasure
To hear it in your gurgling voice

Tossing you in the air

Bathing you, feeding you
Was such fun

You grew up too fast

My little playful monkey
You outgrew my dreams
You now have
A mind of your own

So you judge
You think, you assume
You doubt, if I am right
Hmm, in love, my baby
Sadly it is never wrong or right

You have always

Been a gifted child
No matter
The clamour of your mom

I do not even visualize

Myself in your credits list
The laurels you win
Are truly your own

Baby, whether
You win or you lose
You will always
Make my heart swell with pride

Whenever you stumble

I shall always be misty eyed
Because monkey
Deep inside
You will always be my child

I cannot walk away

From the fires of hell
 I cannot toss away
The poisoned arrows
Stuck deep in my chest
I cannot even sigh
Because your sanctuary
Is my hell

I brought you
And your younger sister
Into this world
I cannot walk away
Because both of you
Are my breaths, my life

Your mother carried you

In her womb
For less than a year

Great suffering for a mother

Twice over
With you and your little sister
Greater the pains of labour
Twice over
For you and your little sister

I, your father
Shall nurture you
Both with a smile
For the rest of my life

I shall tread
This burning path
With unflinching resolve

I shall bear
The shards of my self- esteem
Trampled under my feet

I shall carry
The two of you
Over my shoulders
You are not heavy
My babies
You are my monkeys

To me, you are

The only possessions
Of my dispossessed self
I have no fear
I know my strength
No matter what
My detractors may clamour
The power of my love
Shall stay
No power on this earth
Can ever
Wedge us away!

Shyam