We played together we danced together
We together went to school
We hopped and skipped and during play
We played ‘pittoo’ too
At the big huge dining table
We sat together and yapped.
Ma helped us with our home- work sometimes
Whenever we shied from it,
Teaching us a moral lesson
That bound us morally so
We brothers and sisters, altogether
Fought and shared our secrets
But…
Those days are gone like shifting sands
On the beach we made
Those days have flown when merrily
We hopped and skipped and swayed
Those memories seem beyond yet are there to stay
Though we may be far apart you know
Each day brings us close together
As…
Days and evenings flow
Ma is there to bind us all
Though she is weak and frail
Her love for us will never stall
Each year that flying goes
Papa is amongst our midst
Though he left sometime ago
Our brother and sister are
Still with us
Their images live with us
A family is a family
When all are close and loved
We were seven we still are seven
Though Time divides us so
Dear sister we are there for you
And all of us wish you so
Blessed are you and so are we
To have a loving sister who doesn’t show
The pains she takes to make us happy
By doing all the chores
Alone you trudge the livelong day
Caring, caring and always caring
Hiding all your woes
Today on your birthday dear sister
We wish you good health and cheer
May God bless you and us all
For making you so dear
~Shobha Diwakar
Jabalpur, India