A WARRIOR'S OFFSPRING- A Poem by Diya Singh

A Warrior's Offspring

by Diya Singh

I recall completely

But it seems as if no one is certain of me.

I grew up,

with my mother aside

hearing all her subtle prayers

and holy cries

before bed

by the lords

and on the ringing

of every distressed call.

I barely see my dad

"He is protecting the country"

is the cause I hear forever.

The break from his service

is even shorter than my school's summer holidays.

Even today,

all I can exchange is

letters and text messages

beholding the love so dear.

I bet

he doesn't even remember my class.

It's such a pity

To be the one he cares so deeply

while having just a minute of

his to have his unlimited attention

for me.

Every holiday is a

reminder of him,

every family picnic

incomplete,

with every PTM

gloomy.

When all the students

see their parents

clapping on school functions

I stand in a corner.

I know that his job is important,

and tedious of all

while others gloat at him,

taking Pride for his will

I feel disappointed,

because I didn't get to choose any of this.

All my childhood pictures are a

witness of his absence.

Holi, Diwali, Christmas, New year and

even my birthday all are left to reconsider.

While people see national channels for

patriotism,

I see it for remembrance

so that I may remember the face I am

waiting for.

Now let's see,

From my perspective even I am a warrior, an unnamed fighter

having sores and blisters plentiful,

Plights to consider,

countless in all

but nothing close to

anyone's validation.

Even now when I have grown up

I can still sense the same

emptiness and longing for my dad,

I definitely know that

I love him

but

All at the end,

the question remains the same,

Does my dad even love me ?

whom do you think he will choose

me or his duty of all.

If all is at stake

will he have the courage to

choose the right and betray the wrong.

It's so long, so alone, looks like even I can be

an unsung warrior

of the darkness I had experienced and defeated.