A Father's Love - Rhilo Mero (BA 3rd Semester)

To my unseen child, my one and only,
A fragment of my soul and flesh.
Who'll make me glad and happy,
And be the dawn of a new era.
So many things to tell and show you,
And even more to learn from you.

Right now I write to you,
Who will soon be born of me.
I know not of your nature,
Nor do I know of your future.
Tis’ much I know, that I’ll have you,
And with time we’ll grow together too.

I shall gift you my treasures,
To fill your world with pleasures,
So you may know what’s mine is yours;
Yours to keep and yours to store,
So that you may also do the same
To keep the honour of the Mero name.

Should you be a boy; be the man she loves,
Should you be a girl; be the one he is proud of.
If I were to choose between the two
I know I wouldn’t even dare to so do.
For I’m happy to have any,
In sharing my love that’s plenty.

Lastly, when the years go by,
Being human, I do fail you some day,
In supporting you unquestionably,
And be an embarrassment indeed,
In front of your friends be a pain,
Will you still call me your dad again?

I pray you do,
And even if you don't,
Forever my child you will be.

A Prayer for My Son - Vinika Chishi (BA 3rd Semester)

In the still evening of June,
A grieved heart sought for solitude.
Men could be cruel if they chose to lure.
The fate of a child has no place for a fool.
Beside the window, I stood still glaring,
The pavements visited by the echoes of children.
If a mother's desire I had for my firstborn,
A son I should say should be delivered of course.

With time ticking, I uttered a prayer,
Chose every word with careful dictation.
Every sentence out of love came from the heart,
Words of blessings and protection spoken.
It is the will of every mother for her son's happiness,
Destiny emerged from the tongue of a mortal.
For I was born into the world to fulfill,
The wishes of my dear mother's prayer.

His eyes when opened, look upon my love for him.
All his playful days be filled with wonder,
Songs of my lullabies put him to dream sweet dreams.
Everyday be an adventure as he greets the sun.
Like a prince I would like him to feel and know,
Whatever he needs, love, peace, hope, all is his possession.
Yes, may he have all the joys in the world,
Every good thing a mother could wish for her beloved.

I pray, he love his mother dearly,
As Jesus loved His mother Mary in obedience.
Oh, time will go by, he'll soon be but youthful,
Curious and fragile, seeking attention and purpose.
The truth he may know the worth of his breath,
When the maker maketh only one of him.
Friends be true that like Jonathan was to David
And villains as wicked as Iago depart from his presence.

Let him be favoured as Joseph, his dreams fulfilled,
Granted honour and success by God Almighty.
May his enemies kneel to him in conviction.
And my son, with a forgiving heart offer reconciliation.
Give him strength like Hercules, not to destroy, rather lift,
His presence lifting the heavy hearted with delight.
Ever be humble and ready to embrace weaknesses.
As King David did in his hour of repentance.

May wisdom be his faithful friend,
As he learns the realities of life.
A grip on truth, never to let it slip,
If an enemy he must have, ignorance be it.
Toil and hardships he will face to earn bread,
Gain satisfaction and gratitude as his harvest.
The world influencing young men to cheat,
May my little boy rise up to be an example for loyalty.

Compassion is what I require of the brave soul,
His nature to never hurt a woman, never at all.
Being every woman's dream but existing only for one.
Samson's strength lay in his long hair,
Deceived by a woman, Delilah her name.
Plotting her husband's death, get thee away woman.
Forget his heart, not a strain of hair she shall get.
But a woman of integrity follow him, like Ruth to Naomi.

A day will come, my son, a Father.
Papa! Daddy! Will a tiny mortal call.
To find happiness is a journey within.
To read the map of one's own soul.
May he see the true treasures of life.
A family, a relationship, and Love's inheritance.
His eyes be opened, his heart speak in agreement.
"Life is good, my mother's prayers have been answered."



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