A LOVE LETTER TO MY MOTHER, MY TEACHER

To the one who
taught me the
beauty of life
showed me
how to touch
the sky
without taking flight

Married at 18
single at 25
for no longer
were you the apple
of his eyes

The pain, the suffering
all bundled and tied
hid under the guise
of a sparkling smile

There must have come
along your way
who lip-synced
this ghazal-
Tum itna jo muskura rahe ho
Kya gham hai jisko chhupa rahe ho
to make your day

But your heart was full
your hands overflowing
with responsibilities of
two children
rapidly growing

The constant noise
that society made
never left a chance
to throw your way
some bait

Yet, you ever stood tall
you held your ground
and under your
sheltering wings
we always found
the love of a woman
the responsibility of a man
switching roles from
Cinderella to Superman

Then, i was naive
had no idea
that all you gave
was much more
than what was on
your plate

But now, when i
have a child of my own
and a house to run
i very well understand
how difficult it is
to manage
even with four hands
and come to think of it
you magical lady
did it single handedly

I rarely say this
but know that
Ama, i love you
with all my heart
i do
and I’m thankful
for all that
you’ve done
and still do

To you
these words
were
long due