My father, your regal presence, then
and the ever-lasting imprints
of all your virtuous expressions
laid in my heart
by way of body-speech-mind
will only grow the roots of virtue in me
through the eternity of time
I cherish my childhood memories
together with my two loving brothers
when you showered us
with your unconditional affection
tempered with fatherly discipline and devotion
while you rose up to the occasion
to play the role of both father and mother
especially in the absence of my mother
while she was away, overseas
in England⏤in 1957
and in USA⏤in 1967
in pursuit of her dreams and ambitions
for the sole betterment of the family
I remember how you read books
every afternoon after the mid-day meal
engaging the attention and interest
of your three young children
who sat beside you with childhood fervor
and enthusiasm
We were each just six, seven,
and ten years of age, then
in our childhood home in Polhengoda⏤
a modest suburb of Colombo, Ceylon
I remember the wholesome lifestyle we led
imbued with simplicity and moderation
sitting together at the table with you, my father
in the company of my mother and brothers
for breakfast, lunch, and dinner
You cherished my mother’s gift
of loving and nurturing with warmth⏤
being gracefully served with food
in the order of seniority
I remember how you fed us each
a spoonful of Cod Liver Oil
each night after dinner
while we were young and tender
silently assuring us the gift
of health and vitality
I remember how you imparted
your fatherly advice
to your three children with heartfelt emotion
the night before my day in matrimony
You directed your special attention
upon each of us
making your solemn plea
that we sustain our loving,
giving, and caring for each other
⏤in all weather⏤
through the entirety of our lives
while we played our sacred sibling roles
as two brothers and a sister
Indeed, father, we are your faithful heirs
looking up at you and our mother
with deep reverence
To this day, each of us three siblings
live to protect each other
This great gift of caring
held between siblings
with unconditional love and respect
has been passed on
to our precious children
Father, you epitomized charity, morality,
calm abiding and enduring wisdom
by your very demeanor, like no other
Your resolute quality of extending
unwavering kindness and compassion
towards your fellow humans
as well as all other beings of sentience
fashioned our character surely, by example
We are who we are today,
because of you⏤our beloved father
You journeyed along the path of parenting
along with our mother
with amazing grace and honor
