To son, with love

An open letter to my son

Courtesy of Poetry Playground Prompt # 11— writing poetry for someone else.

When I look at you

while you’re asleep

feelings resurface

from deep within

of love, longing & warmth

in quiet nights, there’s no wrath.

The daytime passes

shouting & screaming

time to get up & get going

turn off the TV , tidy up the place

finish your fruits, no more video games

focus on your books, what the hell !

Mom turned monster, an everyday tale.

Now when you’re in deep slumber

there’s an apology to render

for the moments

when you are all excited & chirpy

sharing all about the day that went by

Me tired, slumped & scrolling & nodding

without even looking up slightly

but in hindsight, I can imagine

the bloom of your smile

withered in no time

& you too reached out

for that remote instead.

Why don’t I get, there’ll be a day

when I’ll wait for that thrill & zeal

but then you would’ve traded it for

somber scrolling without any feel

When you’re hurt & crying

though touched, I underplay the sobbing

asking you to be strong

it’s no big deal, stop whining !

Perhaps it should dawn on me

tears won’t roll down so easily

pearls waiting to be picked up delicately

they’ll dry & reduce to a lump in the throat

You’ll grow up & gone

handling it all

on your own.

So, today as I gaze at you

while you’re asleep

your innocence so divine

I pray, you remain unscathed

in the turbulence of life

& I decide to let go of the monster

& be a mom all the while !

If the giant must return

be gentler this time.

Cause the years won’t return

to reclaim what they deserved

when wrongly I acted tough & taciturn…