You were not wildly ambitious, you spent a lot of time with me,
You were an average guy out in the world, but to me you were special and all that could be.
You sent me to schools that were above our class, and I was grateful as well as pained,
That my father was merely a teacher, I kept secret, lest I be mocked and shamed.
My love for you has grown over time, and respect has increased further fold,
That you made food for me, while mom used to commute, was ahead of its time and bold.
It has taken me a while to realize, that success is not what its claimed to be,
The depth of our bond, the way you shaped me, is your achievement, there for all to see.
I am a father now, trying to walk in your shoes, said goodbye to a well-paying job,
Giving my gift of time, but no more tangible stuff, did I just his childhood rob?
While earlier he could say with pride in his class, my father is a so and so,
Talking about your father, who has no permanent gig, is now a strict no no.
Life has come full circle, I hope he'll realize one day,
The need to keep his ambitions in check, and make time with his child to play.