As we stroll down the pebble-strewn path

To the waves crashing the basalt shoreline

Hold on to my hand tightly, my baby.

I will teach you which pebbles to dodge

And which roaring waves to avoid.

But I won’t teach you that.

I won’t teach you what the world expects

I won’t teach you to be demure and coy

I won’t teach you to perform at every request.

As we hop-skip-and-jump to the weekly market

At the pier, with our bags swinging jauntily

Hold on to my hand tightly, my baby.

I will teach you to look for the best bargains

And too when a better bargain is not to haggle

But I won’t teach you that.

I won’t teach you to tread over others

I won’t teach you to sell yourself short

I won’t teach you to be false to yourself

As we amble down the paved road to your school

Admiring the profusion of sea lavenders and fleabanes

Hold on to my hand tightly, my baby.

I will teach you which ones flourish the best

And which ones need more nurture and care 

But I won’t teach you that.

I won’t teach you to bend over backwards

I won’t teach you to just love others

I won’t teach you to forget yourself

Today, my little sunshine, you are a girl

Tomorrow you will be a woman,

Day after tomorrow a wife, a daughter-in-law

And one day hence a mother yourself

But underneath all that, you will be you

I will teach you never to forget yourself

I will teach you to love yourself

I will teach you that you cannot please all

I will teach you to let go and move on.

But I won’t teach you that

The things I was taught.

That circle breaks here…

// This poem has been penned by Shweta Singh who received a Jury Special Mention at the first poetry slam event (A Rhythmic Affair) conducted by Beyond the Box for adults. //