Father-craft has been passed down from father to father,
losing and gaining at each slow bequeathing.
Less heavy-handed there, more soft-hearted here
at each generation’s rejection of the disciplines of the past.
So much so that I wonder what's left of the original art
and what we've lost and what we've gained.

This is my food for thought as I feed my daughter
crumbled digestive with mashed banana -
(Perhaps a favourite of mine and my father's.)
- while she grins and chortles, blowing biscuit dust
and spittle bubbles with absolute child-delight.

Food for thought and thanks as I drink in her smile,
wipe my cheek and laugh along, prolonging
the choice perfection of this fathering moment.

A woman, bears the responsibility
of bearing her husband a son –
His legacy

Yet, even as she presents him
with a daughter, she gives him
a gift he never knew he had –
A soft heart

And in all that she offers him,
she provides a reason for him to
embrace the fullness of,

                                 Fatherhood!

Teach me mother how to say NO..
To raise my voice and swim across the oceans.
To value safety over politeness.
To feel comfortable in my own skin without seeking any validation from the outside world.
Teach me mother to hit back, when I'm mistreated, when my feelings are not validated and disrespected.
Teach me mother to know what I want.
To be brave, stand tall and bold.
Teach me mother to believe in my dreams, to dream of a better world.
Because when you're gone, I'll carry the legacy, that doesn't have to be out of pain and suffering.
Mother, teach me to be my own hero so that I won't tread the path taken by you again.

As protector and guide, the roles of a father
Stands tall and proud, his love for his daughter
Radiating from his eyes, a love so pure and true
Wishing her the world, in all that she'll pursue

He works hard day and night, for her bright future
To give her the best, to encourage and to nurture
His sacrifices, his struggles, all for her happiness
His joy, his pride, in her success and greatness

He holds her close, in his arms so warm
Protecting her from the world's harm
He whispers in her ear, words of wisdom and care
Guiding her with love, every step she'll dare

He watches her grow, with a heart full of pride
Seeing her bloom, like a lotus beside
The river of life, flowing with grace
Her laughter, her smile, lighting up his face

In her eyes, he sees the reflection of his love
A bond so strong, like the heavens above
He dreams of her happiness, in every waking hour
For her joy, her well-being, is his greatest power

As she spreads her wings, and flies away
He looks up to the sky, and silently prays
For her happiness, her success, her light to shine
In this world, in this life, for all of time

So here's to the father's love
A love so deep, like the stars above
May his daughter find joy, in all that she'll do
For his love knows no bounds, forever true.

Maai, I wouldn’t have gone this far
Never would have dared to do this
But you weren’t around to guide me
And baba said you won’t return.

Maai, I feel homeless without you
Like a droplet fallen away
From the sea and far from thee
But baba never consoled me.

Maai I never knew the meaning
Of those volcanic emotions
underneath your struggle and smile
But baba never saw your fears.

Maai, you’ve gone away too far
To a place that you deem safe
Where no one knows that you and I
are bound together by fate.


Prashant Shaurya ©

All Rights Reserved
25/01/2025

She was the first to feel the weight,
The crown of thorns she learned to take,
The one who´s always standing tall,
but no one ever sees her fall.

The pride, the joy, the first in line,
But she never gets the chance to cry,
She carries it all, but on her own,
The forgotten child, the one alone.

She’s the rock, she’s the shield,
But who will heal the wounds she feels?
Too old to ask, too young to break
She’s learned to bend but never shake.

She’s the light, but she’s the ghost,
The one who gives but never boasts.
Too scared to ask, too proud to show,
How heavy the burden, how far it goes.

And one day she´ll fall, and no one will know,
The strength it took just to let go,
But she always been the one to rise,
With a smile that hides the tears in her eyes.

So take a moment, see her now
Before she burns out, before she bows.
She’s the first to carry, the last to break,
But there’s only so much her heart can take.

The oldest daughter, she carries it all,
The weight of the world, the silent call.
The oldest daughter, the first-born child,
She´ll carry it all, she´ll put up a fight.
The oldest daughter, she´ll break the seal,
So one day she´ll let go and finally heal.

The oldest daughter,
The petals of a rose, her grace concealed,
But thorns cut deep, and wounds don’t heal.

You were in my arms
Now you're in distress
From all the nights you cried
Still saddened by this loneliness

I'm familiar with that state
And how it takes me down again
Down this rabbit hole of regrets
And the thoughts of what I said

So I'll make sure you never stumble
When you're running up ahead
I'll keep you in my arms
As I calmly brace your head

And if the world has turned to mayhem
And is on its final legs
I can hold you for eternity
Until you're feeling safe again

Before you're leaving me to run
Towards the sun you're convinced is red
Still searching our bluest ocean
As you're laying on its bed

So I'll do everything I can
To make sure you have some friends
Who can be there when it's rough
When your days are blue again