Don't

I pull out my stuff from the rack Though all I wish is to unpack Run from my duty, I won’t Yet, for this, my heart says – “Don’t” Far is the place I once called home Far had my dreams made me roam Far is the home that had made me Far from the home I made for me I always went to him with dreams Hoping for a shoulder to lean I learnt soon that it was in vain As all he said was – “Don’t” I resolved then, I would prove myself And see that he agrees himself That though everyone’s against me There is nothing that can stop me I ran ahead at double speed Stumbling at bumps I missed As I fell, I saw his haughty smile And gathered back my pace Now I see him, frail and old My eyes fill as he’s counting days But, as he looks at me, he says “Don’t” – with the smile back on his face For wounds, of youth, still so raw That smile was the final straw I had to now make him hear While he was still, to me, near “You told me to pursue not dreams And smiled in my face as I fell Though our ways were at extremes Loved you I always have and will” He straightens up on hearing me Smiling as he draws strength Little do I know this will be My best memory of him “I used to spend hours thinking Of how to inspire you Memorized speeches bit the dust But for their first word – “Don’t”