By Aatika Sartaj
The moment he held me tight
In his arms, close to chest,
At the very first sight
Upon which my head rests,
My cry lit up his face,
Each gaze filled with grace.
The finger I clasped with my little hand
From the day we met
To the day till date
He had my back when I was all alone,
Never getting mad at those silly talks on the phone.
Complaining all about my friends being mean
The only shoulder I know upon which I could lean.
He cares a lot, never cares to show,
Talks too much within — no one really knows.
Passionate, perfect, works days and nights,
Gets tired, yet never gets tired of life.
Great times we used to have together
Cycling and playing chess in summers,
Arguing over the cricket match scores,
Not giving up until Mom was at the door.
A common man to the world — yet that’s true,
Stronger than armor, nothing passes through.
We all are shielded and loved inside
Thank you, dear, for keeping us alright.
You are my strength in all my storms,
Being on my side even when I was wrong.
They say that "father" is just a term
It takes a lot to be a dad to one.
A lump in my throat as I write it grows
I cried all night at the fact I know.
The bond we share is innate and pure,
Will last forever, that’s for sure.
Not all those superheroes wear capes,
Some do exist — yet they don’t need fame.
All I could say out loud, just one name
Here I present: one and only, my dad,
The purest gold I have — I am glad.
For all those memories, good or bad,
It’s never been better than anything I’ve had.