Sunday, March 20, 2011

A Promise

That when my palm encircles that tiny finger,
we form a bond, for life.

That I'll crawl with you,
and wait for those pink toes to take their first step.

but when the tables turn,
I will let you walk ahead, and try to catch up.

That my eyes will light up,
every time you walk into a room I am in.

That I'll tell it like it is,
but fight hard to not let the world's prejudice blight your innocence.

That I'll prove by example,
that a real man is unafraid of his emotions; he cries, he hugs and he loves.

That I'll let you choose your own passion,
but be sure to stack your shelves with Blyton, Rowling and when the time comes, Frost.

That I'll be happy with whatever you choose to do with life,
but fervently hope some of that literary passion passed down the genes.

That there will be no unpleasant silence; no void to fill,
we will talk, we will scream, we will cry, we will laugh out loud.

That I'll teach to you stand,and stare and never take for granted the small joys;
to never slight a woman, to never pass on a righteous fight, to never lose your voice.

To lose yourself in music and words, to always make time for yourself,
to never let the weight of the world make you forget the wonder that you are.

To love with all your heart, and forgive just as easily;
that hate is high maintenance; a toxic cocktail you can do without.

To be wise with money and a career,
but to remember that people are the only real assets you'll gather.

To prop you up on the kitchen counter, and let you discover the world of smells and tastes,
and get your hands dirty, to see your first flower bloom.

That when the time comes when you find my company embarrassing,
I'll take a step back or two, and let you walk into adulthood, on your own.

That I'll always believe that after those wonder years of rebellion,
you will come back, to this bond we have, and we'll start over.

To leave in you, all that is good about me, all that is worth passing on,
and work hard to not let my character flaws cloud your persona.

To be glad each day, to be thankful, to be grateful,
for this little life, that is all mine to nurture, sculpt and make a beautiful being out of.

I promise all this, to you, and more, my child...
even if you never are to be mine.



The only prompt for this poem is the need to get this out of my system. I am a person who still doesn't know if he'll ever subscribe to the concept of marriage; it is strange for me to want to write a poem to a child I might never have. But, I just did. :P

The form is the one in which I am at my most unbridled - Free Verse.

16 comments:

  1. SI - This is one of my favoritest from your poems. I was thinking the last line sort of implied this as well, it was more like someone was talking to the little one inside me. Brilliant-o! Keep me inspired. :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. I love the fact that you loved this one DP. Deeply emotional, don't know why, about this. Am honored that you are inspired, as you inspired me to get back to poetry. Will never forget that.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I came back to read this again, and I am going to read this to my children regularly.

    ReplyDelete
  4. brilliant, keep flying...

    ReplyDelete
  5. feel free to share 1 to 3 random poems with us today.

    our poetry potluck welcome first time participants
    with open arms...

    cheers.

    ReplyDelete
  6. @DP - When someone says they will read your poem to their children, all you can do is wipe that tear off your eye. A big hug to you.

    @Jingle Poetry - You are the first external entity to visit this blog of mine, and comment. I will cherish your comment always, thanks!

    I will go check out your website now, and would prefer to submit 3 poems to the potluck once am done with the 30 poems for April's NaPoWriMo activity, as I would have a wider choice. I hope that is fine. :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. Shreedhar, must thank DP for sending us this... It's beautiful.. Heart warming.. I wish I knew more men who would be this lavish with their emotions and expressing them... This beautiful picture you've painted in my head, I wish I had that dad and that relationship.....

    ReplyDelete
  8. Thanks Preethit! It is incredibly rewarding to know that my poem makes you feel that way. Graci, DP!

    ReplyDelete
  9. free verse is cool..

    very beautiful sentiments, masterful delivery.
    welcome to poets rally.

    ReplyDelete
  10. This poem is so beautifully concocted and captures the relationship between the parent and child so incredibly well. A true representation of our time and yet words that will hold true forever. Thank you for sharing - and I am sure you will be a wonderful parent one day if this is what you recognise and have to offer! :)

    ReplyDelete
  11. ah! promises to the innocent! Nice!
    Enjoy the rally!
    http://www.lynnaima.wordpress.com/

    ReplyDelete
  12. Thank you Jingle poets.. I love this support from you.

    Thank you glh (I don't know your name), it is quite unlikely that I will be a father, or get married. Let' time tell this tale.

    Thanks Lynnaima! I wish you the same!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Lovely piece--and it seems as though it was written by a parent. My sister is due with her first in a couple of weeks; I'm going to share your piece with her, so maybe it will be passed to a child. :)

    ReplyDelete
  14. @thejuliebook - Many thanks and I am honored that you would think of passing it on to a child. :)

    ReplyDelete
  15. very nicely versed! so well executed, I tht you were going to end it, "dedicated to my child" ;)

    Rally Week 41 - My Poetry

    ReplyDelete
  16. This is one of the most beautiful piece of emotion-thought-poem I have ever read...simple lines made compelling by love..

    ReplyDelete