Sunday, 18 June, will be celebrated as Father’s Day across the archipelago. As mentioned before, this falls on the same day as in the US. Oz, though, commemorates this in September. Voila, below is my Father’s Day poem.
He was there from the very start
You learned later that he was very happy
To have a son
His family was complete
I had assumed that this was because I’d carry the family name
I learned of other reasons too
According to Dad,
In Indian and Chinese cultures,
They prefer to have sons
Phoned him about it
Said that he adored all his children equally
Pa is such a great listener
He always shows that he cares
Whether near or far
He’ll always lend a listening ear
Your brethren will be proud of you
You have accomplished so much
You’ve lit the way
Fathers are our heroes
They come in different forms
They’ll always be your protector and your rock
Another year has passed
There remains a considerable distance between us
How I yearn to see you again, to see your smile
To listen to your productive day
To most people, their fathers are good in a certain way
You, however, are every good thing rolled into one
You’ve a green thumb, can cook, you drove us to school
Dad made me love books and exemplified the ideal devotee
He has travelled the world
Basked with the elephants of Thailand
Boarded the bullet trains of Tokyo
Studied in Germany before the fall
Took in the sights of Amsterdam
Beheld the temples in India
And roamed the Middle East
He’s set foot on three continents
Treat him like a king
His wanderlust inspires me to follow suit
Ever the altruist
He always brings joy
He treats us like royals
He instilled in us the value of prayer, honesty, and generosity
He conditioned us to try new things and experiences
He’s the proverbial Good Samaritan
He’ll give you his last coat
Remember your father
Never make him sad
Seeing him alive and well
Is a blessing in itself
You are fortunate
If both of your parents are in the land of the living
Make the most of it
Shower them with love
Listen to their wisdom
Days turn to months
Months become years
Yet no passage of time
Will make me forget
The immeasurable good deeds
Of our father
Always repay your father’s benevolence
Treat him like a hero
He’s been around for some time
You may think you’re smart
But wait on what he’s got to say
He’s existed on this locus a fair while longer
He knows how the world works a bit more than you do
Your goodness and philanthropy:
Worry not; they will not be forgotten
Tomorrow’s children would know of your kindness
You make the world a better place
Thank you for being a father par excellence
