And then the fight started

 On d' cozy couch, restfully

I was just about to recline

she casually sat next to me,

d' time was quarter to nine

I was flipping d' channels,

Primetime news is a must

what is on TV? she asked

I said it ought to be dust

I replied right and precise

why did she feel insulted?

retorted in a witty manner,

and then the fight started

 I got home late last night,

after some deals pensive

she demanded to take her

to someplace expensive

I recalled Tel Aviv in Israel,

topped as per cost of living

France, Paris, New York,

it's all needless to dream

Took her to a petrol pump,

a cache of items imported

each morning prices go up

and then the fight started 

For an anniversary outing

I can award her an option

her heart melted at once,

with a sweet appreciation

Can have food of choice,

needn't be too expensive

it should suit our savings,

a balance of thrill & peace

 Not been in a long time,

such spot she advocated

I took to my parent's place,

and then the fight started 

She hinted to buy an article,

on her ensuing 23rd B'day

an item to go with her dress

matching, shiny ought to try

Bought her a weight balance

Mini,  golden, electroplated

Its arm glittered charmingly

To d' maxi dress well suited

 Swung slowly up and down,

obviously got so delighted

shiny, yellow yet not gold,

and then the fight started

She informally moved, stood,

looked into d' bedroom mirror

announced she felt horrible,

unhappy what she saw there

Not able to recall the image,

someone utterly unknown

scared to peep into d' mirror

startled, fetched the reason

I look aged, bulky, and ugly,

your eyesight perfect, I said

compliment not up to taste,

disliked, then d' fight started

Not dad, the kids must be afraid

It's a hell of a job,

to bring up d' modern kids

any paucity unfulfilled,

lacuna uncorrected

act erratically indeed 

My neighbor drove home tired,

after d' day's fatiguing work

the mode made him upset,

he went completely berserk

As he entered the bedroom,

saw d' wife in bed with a fever

his dinner laid out on a tray

d' items were neatly in order

Kept in a manner he desires,

dal, veg, salad, papad, pickles

all arranged on d' dining table

that candor now not desirable

Finds strength to do for me,

appropriately everything

sat down to eat and realized

that something was missing

Asked his grown-up daughter,

engaged in TV serial watching

please get me a glass of water,

and  d' canister of my medicine

She rolled up her eyeballs,

dismayed at being disturbed

unwillingly brought d' items

as if doing me a great favor

Unaware started taking food,

realized salt missing in d' dal

can you get me some salt beta

Uff!, she said, irked in d' real

 She cherished no disruption,

in watching the TV anymore

her gesture, posture, irritation

stomping shoes made it clear

Beta!, wished to call her again

when he completed his dinner

banged  TV remote on d' table

want me how many times more?

I had to call you again and again,

a long day at work, I felt weak

he got up, and silence prevailed

kept d' dishes in d' kitchen sink

Wiped tear that run off tacitly,

heart wept to find a remedy

behave this way, so wayward,

most of d' modern world kids

 

Too much freedom to express,

no scope to learn d' fair values

committed d' biggest blunder,

to treat kids as friends, no clue

They have already lots of friends

but have only one set of parents

it's for parenting, no friendship,

and prove own wardship talent

Also d' self-esteem of d' infants,

today counted and talked about

what about d' neglected parents

their dignity, no one points out

At a dinner party the other day,

no seat was empty, all occupied

a senior citizen told his daughter

to move to a vacant bean bag

why not you on d' bag? she asked

aware of father's  back ailment

wished to enjoy the comfort of

d' high back chair, she occupied

While taking leave of the host,

left d' car keys inside, he noted,

asked her to go and get them

do it yourself, me not a maid

Pained in disgust and disbelief,

the poor guy had no option left

made light of d' situation, told,

okay, dad, your eternal servant 

Social manners turning poor,

must be taught in proper time

howsoever big kids may grow,

must follow d' family discipline

Parents to stay only parents,

need not pretend to be a friend

set the rules, make them obey,

not dads, d kids must be afraid