To my sons

There are nights you come up to me,

To hold my fingers and touch my cheeks

And feel the warmth of the blanket.

Cuddling in with me and hugging me tight

You tell me things you saw and heard,

That intrigued and surprised you that day.

Many times you must have received

A slow mumble or a distant look from me

Which must have puzzled you of my concern

When I sent you out into the open world.

Some times when I smile hearing your tales

And press your hands in reassurance

I see my smile reflected on your face

Which does take me to heavenly heights.

I try to fulfill every wish of yours

Not because I am scared

 That you would love me less if I don’t

But because I know, no one else

Can fulfill them with more love than I.

I always try to keep you under my watchful eyes,

I seldom let you go places with others

And insist you tell me where you move about.

I want you to know that it’s only that I feel

You are safe when I can imagine where you are.

On the threshold of adolescence

Soon you would feel annoyed of my clutches

And would want to have secrets from me.

I want you to have your own thoughts

That I promise never to erase outright,

Even if you think aloud.

There have been times when I have refused you

The things you wanted to do,

There have been moments when I screamed at you

And made you hate me for that.

I want you to know that it was not selfishness

That made me deny you your desires

It was because I was just unsure

Of the goodness they would do to you.

May your heart tell you the right and the wrong

May you think independently but with kindness too

May all your wishes be fulfilled with love

May you grow up strong to be on your own

But I would continue my watch over you

For no one can convince me

That they can take care of you better than me.