Promises

On the 69th Indian independence day, here's a humble dedication to the men who leave everything behind to fight for our land. . .

Ask for something, won’t you Son?

I promise, I’ll try to get it for you, though I know

It’ll end up as a yet another unfulfilled promise

Promises that I always make and break

I now have stacks of promises to fulfill

Promises made in times of Joy

Promises made in utter confusion

Promises made while leaving you alone

The promise to get you a new toy

Promise of getting you books

Promise of being there with you

The promise of returning soon

As I write a yet another list of false promises

With a vacant smile, strangely, expecting

Your smiling face to appear on the page

To tell me that I broke a promise yet again

I know full well that this will end up

As a yet another letter in your neatly taped stack

From a father who carries with him just a bunch
Of unfulfilled promises made to his son