Had tiny eyes and crooked fingers
This is from when the world was asleep for me
I was wearing new clothes on my bare body
At that time I did not understand any kind of festival
Even then he used to celebrate every festival with me
Wetting the bed or crying at night
There was only one father whom I
used to put to sleep without sleep
He would play with me in the morning,
Then earn during the day and return in the evening
Sometimes self test,
sometimes the world was tormented
There was only one father who made me laugh
while hiding his sorrow
I was dumb with words,
but he was understanding all my gestures
I myself am surprised today
how he was reading me yesterday
Leave it “Baba”, even then it was not coming out “Ba”
But still in that he was fulfilling my every wish
And i was also falling in love with him
Sometimes he used to become a horse,
Sometimes an elephant for my one smile.
And sleep peacefully all night me
That’s why he used to pass in one turn all night
Not father, he is a magician
If I wanted new clothes, he would bring them to me immediately
I don’t know why he used to sew
his old sandals and wear them
He is the walking idol of God
That’s why maybe he could
change my fate with his blessings.
Jyotirmayee Panda
Odisha, Cuttack