Kita Rox

(Written on the occasion of Ankita's 13th Birthday)

As I sit and watch you my child today
I feel a sudden rush
Of happy moments when you gurgled over me
Your toothless perfumed mouth of infancy
Of the first words that you spoke at the world
Of the times when you recognized none but me

Of the hundred times you called me
To watch a sparrow on the window
Gazing at it with wonder when it flew away
To tell me “Mama, Ek Chidiya Ud Go”

Of the times at night, bright eyed with fever
You lay on my lap clutching onto my finger
My eyes shut with prayers
Wishing for Jagannath to appear

When you were 5
You talked like 15
Teaching me many lessons of womanhood
That I fear are the truths even now

Years have passed
You have grown
Close to womanhood you yourself appear to be
The pimples on your face speak of nature’s unfailing duty
Your many hours at the mirror
Speak of the circle of life being drawn yet again
Your words on the mobile “Kita Rox”
That took me a few moments to decipher
All speak of life, beauty, faith and bountiful confidence

I languish at things I could not give you
At things that I could have done for you
Of images that I could have shielded you against
Of tears that you ever had to shed
Of many truths that you shouldn’t have known
Of many lies that you had to carry to bed

You are a beautiful flower in this unkempt garden called the world
When people walk through this garden with their rough shoes
Stick not to their soles as any wild dandelion
Stick not to their lapels as any store bought rose
Sit not in their vases as a picture perfect bouquet
Roost in their hearts with your deeds and words
Spreading the fragrance of love.