Parental Wisdom

In the bond between my father and me, Best friends we stand, understanding silently. He, aware of my literary love, My passion for technology, soaring above. A laptop, my haven, where life's stories unfold, In its glow, my narrative, bright and bold. My mother, my ally, ever steadfast, Knows me more than my father, unsurpassed. Her counsel echoes from the first time I roamed, "Be good, kind, humble, in a world unadorned. Respect all, judge none, hold these virtues close, Yet, expect not the same from those life chose." Daily I live by her sage advice, In her eyes, a son, virtuous and nice. Yet, my father, perceiving me as frail, Brands me a coward, a judgment set to assail. At home, discord in the echoes of attire, My father insists on a responsible attire. T-shirts and jeans, expressions of self, A battleground where opinions delve. Outside the family, shielded from critique, Yet within, my choices, a topic oblique. Love, a subject my father deems premature, "Wait for the right time, the right allure." Blessed, I am, with a father's wise decree, A protector, a guide, shaping destiny. He dreams of bearing my burdens, heavy and light, A general leading, urging me to the fight. A call home, my mother's voice I hear, Conversations free, void of fear. Money's scarcity, a topic we discuss, Life's gift, she says, more valuable than us. Agreeing casually, her sentiment I share, Cherishing life, beyond worldly affair. Then my father speaks, a different tone, "Money's not vital, but too much is known. Reflect, son, on wealth's pivotal part, In its excess, lies life's true art." He, an advocate for abundance, Never settling for less, a life of substance. Lucky, indeed, with both by my side, Parents' gift, a treasure, in joy and stride. Each day, I hold their presence dear, A testament to love, unwavering and clear. Date: 6 April 2021 Contest: Writing Prompt - Cherish - Poetry Contest Sponsor: Constance La France ~Placed Third