My Dad From Heaven Poem by P K Joy

“Son! My concern for you hasn’t
ended with my death.
Without fail, every day and night
I watch your career path.
All your progress reports
I’m reading at your back.
I do rejoice at your success
and grieve at your setback.

“Dear! You must rise in life
through sheer hard work.
Never become complacent
based on father’s wealth.
Take parental support only for
cultured rearing and learning.
And once you are equipped to earn,
you must stop every leaning.

“Initiative, ability and all good traits
are there in you
Summon them with strong will,
they will rise and work for you.
Shun the company of lazy men
and easygoing friends
Lest these men should lead your
life to unpleasant end.

“ ’Hard work coupled with
wisdom, shrewdness, dedication,
Discipline, and determination’
be your incantation.
Practice of this mantra
will earn you success everywhere.
My soul will rejoice to see your
success for ever and ever.

“You wouldn’t really feel
attached to an inherited empire
As much as you’d to
a self-made hut, though austere.
Big feast from father’s kitchen
wouldn’t have as much savor
As a frugal food you’ve
earned through your own labour.

“It is easy to rise in life
if only you are industrious.
Set your goal high and strive.
You’ll become illustrious.
Mountains you can move with ease,
rivers you can divert
And convert all ‘the impossibles’
to ‘possibles’, or revert.

“To create a niche for yourself,
in today’s competitive world,
Where people are in aggressive race,
you must ever be a step ahead.

Change yourself in tune with time
for you to be found competent
Bask not in the glory of the past.
Let your drive be accelerant! ”