Uneducated Educated Son Poem by Paul Sebastian

Opposite table sat hunched old man
Weather-beaten wrinkled face
Thin gray and white hair blend
Deep in thought, sadness trace

Two fingers hold a half-burnt cigarette
His soft eyes sat in deep sunken sockets
His eyes spoke a kind of deep regret
Thin corner-sagging lips also told that

A widower for many years
His only son lives in Singapore
Successful medical practitioner
Married to one he much adores

His father had sold his going-concern
A successful hardware enterprise
To support his only son’s education
Hoping someday he’d honour his promise

Quivering lips of the father confessed
While his eyes were tears clouding
Son’s written, delayed reply that distressed
‘Your monthly allowance, I’m stopping’

Explaining, living standards were high
His wife had to maintain her toy dog
Uttering those words made the father cry
As he’s valued less than the toy dog!

The old man, at his age, drives a taxi
To upkeep himself with a meagre income
Health and sight waning, is his insecurity
Daring his future alone, whatever comes!

Educated son, yet not educated
Of what use is life if this be product’s end?
Life values lack makes one uncultured
Family values back-sit for materialistic end!

12.4.2015