CHIP OF THE OLD BLOCK

You, chip of the old block!

Do you remember,

The wonder with which you looked at each other?

Placed in his arms,

A few pounds of Homo sapien...

Those brilliant neural pathways

So full of logic and genius

Having those extra volts pass through

An experience like no other...

Forced to decipher

Formulas for fatherhood

Were there any?

Despite himself,

He placed his beating, nay racing heart

Trusting, hesitating not

Into your little palms

To do as you pleased

Squish, hurt, tear, break

Make proud and soar

Only time would tell

Do you remember, the promise,

Of a lifetime 

Of love, and having your back?

Could you smell, the fear,

Of failing you?

Opaque, entrenched, yet well hidden

Ah! The joy of 

Your grubby little fingers 

Around his,

The balm that brought calm.

Being teacher and taught,

Parent and child in turns...

As the days and years unfolded,

One moment at a time,

Watching you grow,

Growing with you.

Your devil's advocate...

Scared, elated, joyful,

Gearing to see

Your dreams bear fruit

Watching you stumbling and swaying

Taking those first steps,

Heart in mouth

Those gurgles of delight

Music to his ears

Pushing you, challenging you

Constantly sharpening that wit and intellect

That you were blessed with

Pulling you back 

So you may burst forth 

And soar in the brilliant splashes of color

Of his Rainbow

You, chip of the old block!

You still hold the wonder.

For he sowed the seeds,

Of the never ending quest...

A secret revealed to him

By the wisdom of the ancients

Your destinies 

That were intertwined 

Bringing about change

In the world

One doting father,

One adoring daughter,

At a time...

Background photo courtesy: Shyam Madhavan Sarada