Mekhala's poem to her dear father

 An arduous but loving childhood 

Where resources were sparse

But love was plentiful.

 

The eldest son, responsibilities umpteen he had;

Many mouths to be fed, the weight of the family he had to bear.

 

Familial duty he never considered burdensome,

Albeit the distance away from them was worrisome

 

Simple and humble his beginnings,

His brahmachari life he dedicated to his siblings.

 

A self made man, he chartered his own course with élan,

He broke the rules, with firm conviction he followed his plans

 

Meagre were his needs but large and generous his heart;

Little did he know, at 38, his life was just about to start!

 

 

Providence intervened, halting his solitary life

“Its about time you get yourself a wife !”

 

 

The maiden, swept off her feet, by a man so spirited, feisty and full of courage,

Who had nary a thought for societal rules; high handedness of a groom, characteristic of that age.

 

 

Together they embarked on a journey experiencing many a place and culture,

Two soon became four, a gift they would treasure.

 

 

 

The women in his life would cross their heart and testify

That he gave them wings to fly!

 

He sacrificed so they could rejoice,

Never dreamt of suppressing their voice

 

For the daughters he was an exemplar, a hero , a man of character

He patiently ploughed, persevered, persisted worthy of revere

 

Through the vagaries of health and wealth he would sail

Without the daughters ever knowing what it took to prevail.

 

His choicest blessings and unwavering love however, he reserves

For the apples of his eye, the grandkids,  his infinite gift of love, they are sure to preserve.

 

The foursome squeak and squeal in delight, often amazed

At the sight of a tough strong man pretending to be a monster with childlike craze!

 

 

“Failure is a stepping stone to success” he would often remind

Leading by example every single time!

 

Every time he faltered and fell,

He reinvented himself as if on a spell.

 

 

A miner, an engineer, an auditor and entrepreneur

He plays every role with aplomb, a never-ending learner.

 

At an age meant for retirement and superannuation,

He was busy collecting certificates and passing examinations

 

From heavy machinery to IoT and AI, he’s the Jack of all trades

This indefatigable passion is just one of his many shades!

 

 

Fearless and fierce, adaptable and astute, passionate and proud

Thirsty for knowledge, never one to sit around.

 

A firm believer in Karma,

Performing steadfast his duty is his dharma.

 

 

Birthdays for him each year are perfunctory at best

The 80th one is surely a tad different from the rest

 

Celebrations and gifts he shuns;They are but material and worldly

So an ode, we dedicate to him , his life in all his glory

 

At 80, he's just taking a fresh guard, more strokes to play, more runs to score;

While we applaud from the dressing room, waiting for an encore!

 

Happy birthday appa!

 

Love,

 

Your children

 

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