Dear Dad.

I see the tears in your smile

And I hear the sigh in your laughter

As you tell her, you've grown old

That you've grown frail

That you've grown weak

That you don't have the strength anymore.

And this feeling of sadness lingers

As you tell that to your grand child

Who does not even understand

But I hear your whimper that you've

Withheld.

But you muster up the courage to take her in your arms

Without worrying for a bone to break

And I see your tears as you hold on

This feeling has become a stranger

I can see the pain you hide

As you let her down

And turn around.

And there and then a flash of memories

The way you once held me long,

And ran and played and jumped

All lost now, 'cause I grew up,

And then I think back

When was the last time I talked to you

In the silly voice I saved only

for you and her.

When was the last time I kissed you

fleetingly on the cheek

as you ran after me.

When did this happen?

How come you need wheel chairs now,

How come you wake up to medications

And go to sleep to them.

And when did all that black on your head

turn grey?

But they mark more than what anyone knows

They mark all of my past

I spent running miles with you

When those legs were able, and hands were strong

And when you ran after me when I ran away.

But I continue running now

And deny every effort

You make to stop me

How come I grew stronger

As you grew frailer.

How come I get annoyed every now and then

How come I forget?

Everything.

I'm that same child you know,

I just run ahead of you sometimes

So much so that sometimes

You can't catch up.

But whatever miles I walk

No matter how long I go

I can never even surpass

The distance you have walked

And the times you have seen.

So now it's different, isn't it,

But one day I shall repay you,

One day I will care for those limbs

Like they cared for mine once

And I will love you

Today, tomorrow,

And forever.