Last Page From My Teenage

Suddenly I realised on the eve of my 20th birthday that I would no longer be a teenager and felt saddened. This coupled with my friends teasing me as "mama" made me repent that I have missed out on any things in life. This poem is more like my brain trying to console my heart.

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LAST PAGE OF MY TEENAGE

Girls turning 17 and guys turning 20
Have in common, rueing aplenty
For girls , its going away from sweet sixteen
For the guys, its losing the whole of their teen.

What is getting out of teenages mean?
Just another year goes by
Before you realise how long its been
Since you brought a smile with your cry

To the anxious faces of your parents
Who, you haven't spared a moment for
In these 19 yrs, but who have gone to any extent
To bring you up, bearing many a scar

So that you can live a life
Without the strife
That they struggled through and experienced
So that your way to success is cleansed

Of even the smallest of obstacle
But in the middle of learning oracle
Have you ever smiled at them and said "How nice you've been.."
Just a complement for caring for you till the very end of your teen

How often have you been to the temple
Or thought of God: Ram, Jesus, Allah for example
The Gods who arguably exist
Aren't the ones who persist

With you to read for your exams and take care of your health
Aren't the dear and near ones your real wealth?
Instead of bribing God to yield you results
Give due credit to those who have shouldered your insults

And patted your back for your award
Ain't expecting a reward
For moulding their ward
Into the best steward

Of handling his own life in the best manner
Mothers' Day and Fathers' Day banner
Often is just a passing sight
Which doesn't give one insight

Into the real feelings that we humans pride over animal.
Words should melt from your mouth like caramel
Cos the gratitude to these souls who shower love in excess
Words are too hollow and insufficient to express.

Countless are the made sacrifices
Don't they have to be permanent edifices
Always filling your heart
In need of money, apart.

In thousands have they spent
Lest you should repent
From their hard earned wages,
They are on par with the best of sages.

Parents are like blood, to put forth
They are the most important
But sadly we realise their true worth
Only when they leave us, content.

Joy isn't roaming around in bikes
It's in returning love to those who acted as dykes,
Borne the hardship to make you prosper
And become as lovely as casper.

So, feel for the 20 yrs past
Not the dates missed and girl friends lost
Not for the enjoyment and responsibility being less
But missing the million chances to thank the ones who bless.

May this turn in your age
Herald a beginning to salvage
The love of lost ones
And gratefulness in tons.

Life is but transient
Let not money be the only nutrient
Money comes and goes
Only increasing the number of foes.

If you carry loads of money to your grave
The by-standers will loot it, for it they crave
So carry tons of love, if you are clever
You will adorn their hearts forever

May not the ones you love be few
Care for those who care for you
Put the other before self
And you will discover your other-self.

Random Access
The search has just begun !!! (for a lot of people to thank)

Dec 2001