To My Adolescent Son............. Poem by Boishakhi Mitro

You argue, you are adamant,
Sometimes annoyingly stubborn.
And I cant help but mutter to myself,
'the chip of old Bloke, that he is! '

Yes thats how you behave sometimes these days.
I know thats not my baby,
But your hormones playing hide n seek!
And I wish I could have you back, the way you were, my first-born!

I try to keep my cool and reason...
Yet there are times, when I wish, I could be a little more lenient.

On some such days, when we fight,
And I see hints of tears in your eyes,
I want to hug you n say how much you mean to me everyday.
But sometimes its necessary to let you fight your own demons and slay.

The wise say, you will come out stronger that way,
And thats all I can wish for you today.
To be strong, intelligent and a good human.
Able to fight every battle that life throws your way.

As a toddler, you came to me with all your troubles,
These days you have grown quiet....
Reassuring me not to worry, but baby I miss those days......

Am I getting paranoid?
Heck he is only sixteen and I feel old anyway!
His world, his books, his friends, his studies, busy all day.
Though he is growing up to a nice young lad, I must say.

May you be blessed by one and all,
Its my earnest prayer to God.
Grow up baby, and be a Man,
Even if you cant ever buy a Porsche, never hurt a living soul.

The mathematics of life is simple,
Every tear, every smile comes back ten-fold.
So spread cheer and happiness to all,
And God shall be there for you forever.