I take in a deep breath
whilst digesting a truth too heavy to carry
Have you also touched this utter powerlessness —
the predicament of life losing it’s hold.
This truth of watching parents grow old.
An agony builds up in ways untold.
The days pass by ,
the years fly by
whilst I yearn to freeze moments together
as the truth unfolds.
Today I am okay,knowing
we have each other
I shudder at the thought
of knowing, they are changing
whilst I pray for their health every day,now.
I see now,
time is our biggest enemy.
Mother smiles , she constantly tries, despite the tired eyes
her wrinkles giving away every time.
Father tries his best to show his
strength despite his tired legs arms reminding him he needs to rest now.
Their aging faces frail bodies echoes their grace and wisdom
of years they stood
by me at every phase
of my existence
through every hurdle
every joy every bliss every sorrow.
Everything – all there is.
. Time confronts me
and I hide beneath it’s shadow,
whispering “Can’t you please slow down !!
Grant my wish and pause our now?
I need to drench in their warmth
as I hold their frail old bodies
so their afterglow stays within
engraved whilst time insists
life goes on.
My heart aches whilst grasping this truth
I fear their well being as well as my own –
for without them –
I’m expected to live but don’t know how ?
It is not a question of IF it is WHEN
I know death is an absolute truth
but how to accept it ?
How does every son every daughter do this ?
As I watch my aging parents ,
I don’t speak or show my fears despite drowning inside it ,
Can anyone tell me now
How does one live without their skies devoid
of the only world they ‘ve known , somehow ?
My parents have been my sky my ground
They’re my forever my everything
Everything I am and will be
this has always been my story,
nothing new
Most people know this by now.
It is through their love
I have overcome everything
from the beginning to now.
How will I go on living if they are not around?
I don’t know how one breathes through this unimaginable turmoil
Without the most natural
part of one’s existence around ?
Today I breathe and live in peace knowing they are with me
We live in the same skies
Though not always near
yet never too far —
Always a call away
Their voice is all the strength I need many a times
A quick visit
reboot and renew
through anything , somehow.
Today, a sinking fear sits in me
day in and out
I don’t think anyone understands how I feel or may be they do
We just don’t speak about it as often as we must
The fear of parental grief
The loss of a love
irreplaceable.
Those who shape your world from the beginning to your today …your now.
I don’t want to face how parents leave one day ,
Forcing us to survive on our own — without ever to be found?
How does one grieve about this unimaginable grief ?
Tell me now ?
The fear causes a lump in my throat
I don’t know how to get past this feeling
Whilst I tell myself I’ll need to be okay .
But how ?
No matter how old I grow
no matter how resilient I become
I don’t know who I am –
without my mother without my father
This lurking fear mocks
to say “accept the circle of life and death”
But I am not able to
I want them to be my
forever and always
My parents are my people
The ones who love me most,
without any condition
without a doubt.
I’m grateful to God for giving me
my mother and father
They taught me the most important gift of all –
“Love is all anyone needs ,
if ever I falter and don’t know how to find my ground
I’m and will be grateful , forever.
But how must I prepare to live longer than them ?
Could someone defy this reality ?
The predicament of this truth is the toughest pill to swallow
For not just me – but may be
for every son and daughter in this world
Does it have to Time’s way ?
Is there no other way ?
My parents are my forever
Could you please find a way out ?
About the Poetess
Tanushi Singh is an award-winning poet and internationally published author of five powerful poetry collections. Her debut book, Scribbling of My Soul, was nominated for Best Poetry Book by a Foreign Author at the Poetry Planet Publications Awards, launching her inspiring literary journey. A three-time finalist at the Times Group Women Author Awards, her work is celebrated for emotional depth, lyrical grace, and themes of hope, resilience, and self-discovery. Represented by The Book Bakers, Tanushi has received honors including the International Excellence Award 2024 and the prestigious Bharat Vibhushan Award 2025.
In October 2025, she was featured in Lifestyle Magazine under “Success and Inspiring Stories” and honored with the Global Women Inspiration Award (GWIA) as one of the Top 10 Women Artists, Designers, and Creatives. An army wife, teacher, blogger, and activist, her poetry continues to illuminate and uplift readers worldwide.
