By Amar Agarwala
Those strands of grey on your temples
Creased brows in a smirch-stained plea,
Haunting weariness of your dark eyes
I know they have come for me.
Many gallons that you have sweated
Cooking and managing the hearth,
The endless pains you have writhed in
Since the times you gave me birth.
I can vouch for those wrinkles many
Which have lined your beautiful face,
That hurtful quiver of your mouth
Which you lovingly veiled with grace.
I know well how course your palms are
From the toil and labors of our home,
Your affections which I take for granted
Your desires buried by a gnome.
I reminisce your scolding harshly
Leaving home in my rebellious din,
Not knowing the pain, I had caused you
And how your heart must have bled within.
Your lap ever comforting and warm
Where I have put my head and slept,
But never ever cared for the times,
When your eyes have silently wept.
My failures you did stoutly bear
As I basked in your loving shade,
But those little follies of yours
Big issues of them I often made.
You solaced me when I was hurt
Smiled when I was joyous with glee,
You held me close to your bosom warm
When I saw my own shadows flee.
I sense your love and affections
Your joy at my growing up fast,
You’ve ever held me close to your heart
Though at times I’ve left you aghast.
How I wish could love you more
Have made folly of this life of mine,
Time and again you’ve forgiven me
Saying, someday it would all be fine.
I’ve never have seen the face of God
Yet I know how he would be,
For when I look at your gentle eyes,
He peeps through them at me.