Tuesday, January 24, 2017

On Father’s 69th Birthday--By Sanjeev Sethi--India

On Father’s 69th Birthday
    (In his hospital room)

Everyone has a father  —
but only some fathers
sow the seed
for their sons
to break into song.

Historians chronicle
the cave-in of civilizations.
I can see your decline —
see it with precision and pain.

Father, you want to hold
the space you held.
But, is it my fault,
that your hands
now need me?

Sanjeev Sethi is the author of three well-received books of poetry. His most recent collection is This Summer and That Summer (Bloomsbury, 2015). His poems are in venues around the world including 3:AM Magazine, The Tower Journal, Peacock Journal, Red Fez, Soul-Lit, Poetry Pacific, and elsewhere. He lives in Mumbai, India. 

12 comments:

  1. Sanjeev,
    Don't feel bad. He is probably just used to being the leader. Congratulations to you for helping him out in his times of struggle.
    ~Davidf

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  2. Dear Sanjeev,
    This poem is where we live.
    Thank you,
    Michael

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  3. Thank you Davidf and Michael for reading and responding.You are wonderfully supportive.

    Sanjeev Sethi

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  4. Just brilliant. Keep writing Sanjeev!

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  5. Thanks Gopal.You're generous.

    Sanjeev

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  6. This one touched my heart. Thank you, Sanjeev Sethi.

    Thank you,Whispers.

    Nancy

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  7. Hi Sanjeev, Great 69th Birthday Question, But is that not
    what a son is for? It might be the fault of the way life
    goes. We can be happy that love is there, and father and son
    share. I love your poem Sanjeev.
    Yancy










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