for listening and giving care
Most, we do as part of responsibilities
A few, when situation upon us stare
Most, we do as part of responsibilities
A few, when situation upon us stare
Respond, as a mother, we do to our baby's cry
Comes natural; hardly we need to try
Respond, as a father we do when our babies try
Nothing unnatural, if in joy, we cry
Respond, as a father we do when our babies try
Nothing unnatural, if in joy, we cry
Years many pass, decorated with emotion
Toddler to an adult, we see our children transition
Our duty to give them care, with devotion
Burden, we see it not. But, truly a celebration
Toddler to an adult, we see our children transition
Our duty to give them care, with devotion
Burden, we see it not. But, truly a celebration
Then comes a time when we lie mostly awake
It's the result of ageing, not our mistake
In the duty of giving us care, our children partake
Expect we do, even if nothings' at stake
It's the result of ageing, not our mistake
In the duty of giving us care, our children partake
Expect we do, even if nothings' at stake
Blessed we feel when care giving is returned
Cursed, when we're heard with their backs turned
For, beauty of caregiving without empathy
Boils down to nothing but a feeling of mere pity
Cursed, when we're heard with their backs turned
For, beauty of caregiving without empathy
Boils down to nothing but a feeling of mere pity
Wise ones always said, Caring is a quality
bestowed upon the beautiful gender
I dare ask, why this inequality?
Is it cause they give life? I wonder!
Born, we are with beautiful qualities
for listening and giving care
Most, we do as part of our responsibilities
A few, when situation upon us stare.
Most, we do as part of our responsibilities
A few, when situation upon us stare.
---------------
©Balaji Palanidurai
The week I wrote this poem, I had met a family friend for dinner, He was very involved in taking care of his new born with his wife. I saw a proud and responsible father in him.
The week I wrote this poem, I had met a family friend for dinner, He was very involved in taking care of his new born with his wife. I saw a proud and responsible father in him.
Earlier during that week, my son was down with flu and my wife and I took turns to caring for him.
Later in that week, I met with another friend who had taken a sabbatical to look after his aging parents.
In above mentioned events I saw a full life cycle and got motivated to write something about giving care. Pictures in the collage are of my friends and family captured at various times, which I thought relate well to phrases in this poem.
