JEREMIAD: "A BATTLE WE AS PARENTS STRIFE" BY SOMDATTA MITRA

In the paths of uncertainty in life ,

Every phase seems to be a tide with its ebb and flow.

Unpredictable incidents often scare us ,

But like a pinwheel in sudden wind , we learn to spin determined , never to break.

From sudden contusion to brain injuries ,

Or for a permanent loss of someone passing by .

Life is fragile in its most dreadful incidents,

That we may never be able to mend .

Our physical health and mental health,

Are the quiet anchors we must tend .

For in a world we cannot control , 

Care is the courage we choose. 

For our children as parents we sigh ! 

How will they walk these tides !

Even in their new season,

 To bloom where they are still seen immatured at times.

In its ghastly levelled truth ,  

Paranoid mother's are continuing breaths in the dark .

And fathers are brave who cannot unfold their anxieties,

 To creep in the silent forged dominion. 

As a king a father , couldn't be a shield to his son , 

 His helplessness linger in his most tested time.

A mother being torn in dismay, And rigorous tormentation in sway , blindfold her with inhibitions. 

Yet both pray in silence - that their children learn to spin ,

And still come home safe to their arms.

A battle we all as parents strife ,

As caregivers in the night - watch fire , feeding it twigs of courage .

So the fire of resilience burn in their fists ,

Concious of their efforts to guard themselves.

A little concern, a reminder to self,

 May keep them in the circumspect of time.

Where restless hearts beats like moths against the lamp,

Being high spirited they are drawn to the light. 

Learning not to burn , agile in their most welcoming concern ,

They must be conscious of their own edge. 

Enlivening their own spirits to glitter in their own distinct light ,

Like fireflies in the dark that taught themselves to shine. 

©️ SOMDATTA MITRA

-India 

This poem, "A BATTLE WE AS PARENTS STRIFE" by Somdatta Mitra, is a poignant and relatable exploration of parental anxiety, capturing the fears and vulnerabilities of parents navigating life's uncertainties with their children. The speaker describes the unpredictable nature of life, using metaphors like "tide with its ebb and flow" and "pinwheel in sudden wind", to convey the resilience needed to cope. The poem highlights the silent struggles of mothers and fathers, with mothers' anxieties and fathers' helplessness portrayed as they grapple with their children's growth and safety. The speaker emphasizes the importance of parental care, courage, and resilience, urging children to learn to "spin" and navigate life's challenges, while acknowledging the parents' own emotional turmoil. The poem's message is one of hope and empowerment, encouraging both parents and children to tap into their inner strength and shine like "fireflies in the dark."