Note to my Children

Me, cradling you so gingerly,

You, wriggling in my arms,

Breathing your first breath,

Hold on tight, my dear, and think of me,

Never ever let go, of how it used to be

 

You, smiling your first smile,

Staring at me lovingly,

With brown sparkling eyes,

Hold on tight, my dear, and think of me,

Never ever let go, of how it used to be

 

You, taking your first steps,

Wobbling to and fro,

Holding on to my finger, so very very tight,

Hold on tight, my dear, and think of me,

Never ever let go, of how it used to be

 

Me, pushing on the swing,

You, yelling gleefully,

You could touch the sky, from the rope on the tree,

Hold on tight, my dear, and think of me,

Never ever let go, of how it used to be

 

You, smelling your first rose,

I plucked from the bush,

Carefully, thorns removed,

Hold on tight, my dear, and think of me,

Never ever let go, of how it used to be

 

You, shedding your first tears,

From a scrapped knee?

Or just feelings hurt?

Hold on tight, my dear, and think of me,

Never ever let go, of how it used to be

 

You, singing your first notes,

So pretty, on the stage,

smiling through joyful tears,

Hold on tight, my dear, and think of me,

Never ever let go, of how it used to be

 

You, dancing your first dance,

Your little fingers, stretched out,

Beckoning me, ‘Come on!’

Hold on tight, my dear, and think of me,

Never ever let go, of how it used to be

 

You, driving the first time,

Starting, stopping, and then again,

Me sitting next to you, clutching my seat,

Hold on tight, my dear, and think of me,

Never ever let go, of how it used to be

 

You, standing across from me,

Arguing your point of view,

I frowned, but so proud inside,

Hold on tight, my dear, and think of me,

Never ever let go, of how it used to be

 

Us, staying up so late,

Screaming at horror shows,

Now replaced with essays from school,

Hold on tight, my dear, and think of me,

Never ever let go, of how it used to be

 

College, and then your first job,

You’re starting on your own,

Now miles away from me,

Hold on tight, my dear, and think of me,

Never ever let go, of how it used to be

 

A new life for you, marriage and family,

You and I, more of a memory,

Is this how it’s supposed to be?

Hold on tight, my dear, and think of me,

Never ever let go, of how it used to be

 

Your first child; I was there,

Standing next to you, but oh, so far away,

Just one among the many now,

Hold on tight, my dear, and think of me,

Never ever let go, of how it used to be

 

Your child, cradled in your arms,

Breathing its first breath,

Smiling in your eyes,

Hold on tight, my dear, and think of me,

Never ever let go, of how it used to be

 

I think of all that was,

And of what remains to be,

Walking through memories,

Hold on tight, my dear, and think of me,

Never ever let go, of how it used to be

 

My voice is weak, my steps are short,

I think of you, and close my eyes,

I smile, but am a little sad,

Hold on tight, my dear, and think of me,

Never ever let go, of how it used to be

 

Laying on my back, breathing a shallow breath,

I see the dark, and then I see the light,

I will miss you, even there,

Hold on tight, my dear, and think of me,

Never ever let go, of how it used to be

 

 

(c) Copyright Zulfiqar Rashid 2016