What Do You Want, Mama?

Every time I look at my daughters,

I am encountered with this question

Now, what do you want mama?

Sometimes violently, and sometimes silently!

 

By now I know it well,

That every time I am fired with endless questions

This one will be one of them.

This is not a new scenario,

It has been like this from the very beginning.

 

From the days when the two of you were in cradle,

The days when you were learning to toddle,

The days when you were busy learning and unlearning

Even then, maybe not with words, but with looks

The question most of the time remained the same.

 

When we sat down to do the homework,

And I tirelessly erased it again and again,

When I cut down on your playtime

And summoned you in

The question remained the same.

 

When you both were in your teens,

All ready to greet and meet

Before I could say, 

The question was there! 

Sometimes like a wall, an embankment

Closing all scope of communication.

Shying away from each other,

Wanting to call a truce, 

But waiting for the other to take the first move. 

But the question was still there!

 Now both of you are what I wanted you to be!

My heart swells up with pride,

My throat chokes, and tears come streaming through my eyes.

Of course, tears of happiness and pride.

Yes, you have guessed it right!

Now too, I can't hold them back

And I don't even want to try.

 

Today, I want to answer this question of yours,

What did I, after all, want?

To be honest,

Most of the time, I too was unsure.

I just wanted you to grow up simple and straight,

To soar high and reach out for your dreams

I just wanted to be your anchor, the thread of the kite

To keep you grounded in life!

 

I just wanted you to learn

To differentiate between the right and the wrong.

To have a voice of your own,

To take a stand and be conscientious all the time.

 

I just wanted you 

To learn to accept

Hardship and adversities

Above all learn to accept failure with grace!

I just wanted you to

Learn that life is a roller coaster ride,

The ups and downs are like sugar and spice,

They romanticize and make it worth living.

Now, I know my dear 

I can rest all my fears

I am sure you will face all the challenges

with a smile.

You have the strength to accept your failures 

And celebrate your life!

Because, you know it for sure success will eventually be yours!