Bapu

Apart from genetic matter
you've given me lots,
and I'm only talking about things non-material.

You gave me your way of folding legs, sitting down,
your excessively nodding head,
your way of rolling a piece of roti before dipping it in dal,
your kitchen quirks,
your enthusiasm for the most trivial of events,
your appreciation of little things,
your eye for detail,
your courage to try something new without overwhelming fear of failure.

You gave me
the right to trouble you,
the idea of comfortable silences,
the strength to overcome my mediocrity
the power to speak my mind.

And you took away
everything that held me back.