Fathers and Sons

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.

 

 

 

Writing Dilemma - Part II

Who are you, if you do not write?

You are a poet or not, isn't it black or white?

I'm kinda, I'm sorta, I also ran,

I pen a few poems when I can.

Once in a blue moon, I get hit by the muse,

Not able to pen at will, whats the use?

I'll bare myself out, when I have something to say,

Wont a daily writing regime, instead save my day?

Hunched on my desk, struggling for words, doesn't seem right,

Not flowing from the depths, the poem will come back to bite.

I can force myself to craft a beauty, can I give it a soul? 

Weaving emotions from thin air, won't it take a toll?

I try to be scientific in my approach, creating a lot in the hope, there will be a work of art,

Inspired by humdrum events of the day, the poems will be humdrum - I don't get that part!

 

Taking Time-Off

Everyone looks up at me, I'm the homemaker,  

I'm the default emotional support, the nanny, the caretaker. 

Once in a while I suffer, from a little cold and cough,

And when I indulge in a little self care, feel guilty for taking time-off.

Everyone looks up at me, I'm the breadwinner,

Hunched on my desk throughout the day, I'm usually late for the dinner. 

Once in a while I plan a leave, saying enough is enough,

So many projects hanging at workplace, feel guilty for taking time-off.

 

Everyone looks up at me, I'm the family's hope, 

Though only a child, I study long hours, can somehow manage to cope. 

Once in a while I like to play, with other kids in play-off,

Playing during the exams is a strict taboo, feel guilty for taking time-off.

I don't know where we are going, why all are short of time,  

It seems totally ludicrous,  that taking time for yourself feels a crime!

Women Day

Multiple sessions scheduled, technology not working,

Panic sets in, despair is lurking.

Problems are umpteen, need to add a speaker to the live-stream,

And to go live on FB and insta simultaneously- enough to make you scream.

 

We somehow remain calm, find out a tech solution,

We'll broadcast the sessions as promised, we made a firm resolution.

Once decided, all the barriers melted, the right software acquired,

Everyone charged and geared for the day- feeling a bit inspired.

The first session didn't go as per the plan, there was a slight hiccup,

Putting our brains together, we manged with some luck.

The overnight meeting did pay off, at the end we went viral,

Also built a strong team culture- locked in an upward spiral.

The Women Day planning was hectic, and execution fraught with risk,

We passed with flying colors, now off to business brisk. 

Writing Dilemma

Sitting down to pen a poem, end up drawing a blank, 

The themes are repeating, and I'm getting bored, to be frank. 

What ought I write about, there's nothing exciting to share,

About topics I have realized, that nobody really cares.

How you say it is what matters, your non-verbals, your style,

How to portray that in a poem,  have patience, I'm giving it a trial.

The choice of words, the rhyme, the meter, the lyricism, 

I hope to get this right, not shroud it in mysticism.

Why you write in the first place, needs to be equally addressed, 

Another important question is, to whom are these addressed?

Writing 14 lines of rhyme, do not make a sonnet be true, 

What you need is someone worthy of love- and that are far and few.

I've kept writing for so long, never in return I got a share or like,

If I don't get a comment from you soon, I may as well go on a strike!

Friend Recommendation

Her name pops up, in people you may know, 

Do you know her, asks FB, I'm tempted to say no.

Sending a friend request is an option at length I consider,  

The fear of rejection makes me backtrack, and strongly reconsider.

Somewhat hesitatingly, I finally send the friend request,

Endless waiting follows- have I succeeded in my quest?

Constantly checking her profile, just to make sure,

She has accepted me in her fold, anointed me pure.

Greatly relieved to see, that she has become a friend,

Great validation, that our friendship didn't end. 

Barely a month goes, and I'm aghast to discover,

Her name's again in recommended list- its hard to recover. 

I had expected when she accepted the request, it will last at least a while,

But in a week to be back to square one is disappointing, and on her part, somewhat vile.

Social Media Outpourings

Facebook reveals, that its your birthday,

Greetings pour in, sending wishes your way. 

Your day ends responding to messages with thanks,

If it wasn't for Facebook, it would have drawn blanks.

LinkedIn reveals, you have changed your job,

For a moment you become, the platform's heartthrob. 

Congratulations pour in, wishing you luck in new role,

No one caring whats in store, what the new job will take toll.

Twitter reveals, you are an opinionated prick,

On left or right, its clear to which side you stick.

Trolls pour in, attacking you left and right,

You solidify your position, with all your might.

This social media is good, lets others know whats important, 

But if used in a mechanized way, it becomes totally impotent.