AN ECHO OF LOVE

As a child,

You loved your parents,

As a moody teen,

You detested every bit of them,

As an adult,

You became weary of them,

And now as you’ve become a parent,

You require them as mere babysitters.

 

Through all your journey,

Your parents never deterred,

They weren’t like fading flowers,

But instead like firm cacti,

Maybe that’s why in them you never found,

The showy beauty you always looked for.

 

And if you had looked behind,

Oh! They were right there,

And today as you teach your child to walk,

They still watch out in case you fall.

 

Now as they’ve become grandparents,

The love in them has multiplied a thousand,

Well, their concerns now revolve,

Around their next two generations.

 

While you were so busy,

Preparing for your children’s future,

They enriched your children’s present,

And you, oh, you couldn’t be gladder for the free service.

 

So they got to re-live their memories,

And you got your busy life,

Everything was going fine this way,

Until your children grew up.

 

Now they were moody teens,

And detested every bit of you,

Even every bit of their grandparents,

Who were quite used to the hate cycle now.

 

Your parents yearned your attention,

Ah, a little walk, a few moments talk,

Or a hug from your children,

Was really the only salary they wanted.

 

But they silently watched you,

As you made the same mistakes as they had,

They so wanted to guide you,

But didn’t you say they were outdated?

 

Time flew; your children became adults,

And now they’ve become weary of you,

And you; having none to talk to,

Finally turned to your parents for an ear.

 

But they had waited long enough,

For that one call, one text,

Maybe a visit, or a coffee date,

But you never came.

 

And now you shed tears at their funeral,

You’ve really lost your chance,

To give that one hug, share that one meal,

And now you have a stack of unspoken talks.

 

Finally realization looms,

That they waited a lifetime for you,

With their box of sunshine,

To simply share some warmth.

-Siya Lala