Papa You Are The Light Of Our Lives Poem by Seema Jayaraman

You are the light of our lives, dear Papa
And you know how afraid I am
of the dark
Always seeking refuge in the brilliance
That is you
Please don't let the light within extinguish
The radiance that is you has illuminated
our world
And shown us the way
You know how much I need you
to navigate this reality
All along my eyes attuned to your brilliance
Will not acclimatize any other lesser source
As I hold on to your hands tight
Always steady and firm yet so soft
they simply knew the safe and righteous path
Be my guiding light forever, please stay always
Clutching me to your breasts
I have accelerated my growth look I am ten times older
Almost your age but unable to attain your wisdom
My hard firm lines are wobbly and softened
As I keep Pace with your changes and figure out ways
To defeat and cheat death
And why not if fate can spring a cruel surprise
Nothing can stop me from arm twisting a deal
To wriggle you to safety for you have a role
to keep lighting up our lives
Who says filial bonds are bound by flesh They walk together only to the crematorium
Some are stronger and outlast Time
And cross over impossible boundaries
Beyond limitations of flesh
Even across rivers of Death into the scroching shadowless world of the decrepit soul
I promise you will not walk the nameless world's alone
O fallen soldier, there always will be a shoulder
Mine at the forefront and many more that you brushed with kindness and
Embraced with love
I will be there to share your solitude in tandem with the heavy steps of loss
Always always with you, made of you, made from you
I will not let you go alone that's a solemn promise
For I am the essence that your soul is made of
And I carry it within and have already shared some of it to next on line
Ensuring your permanance
And When you decide to spread yourself everywhere
I will be the endless horizon holding your dust and dispersal
I will be the space and the in-between
To hold your sunshine always shinning
But why talk of nothing when you are everything
Why talk of the end when you are in a new inning, a new begining
For you will always be the Sun and the world and the light that lights up my microcosm
And let this all be a nightmare brushed away like sea mist
In the brilliance of your enlightened smile
- - - -
Seema Jayaraman
Mumbai
15 July 2019