A note-poem to my daughter,
As I write to you on the cusp,
Of your 18th year, I'm reminded of,
The day I first held you, just a day old,
I guess this, you can't clearly oversee,
The world knows and shows no mercy,
So listen keenly, for your next years.

Know that my love for you is steadfast,
I will forever champion your aspirations,
Guard against deceit,
Hold on the belief that,
I will always be your cheer up,
Whether we're meters away or miles apart.

If you find love,
Remember to love yourself a little more than him,
And if love becomes a battle,
Invoke prayers, seek solace in your faith.
But if love brings sorrows,
And your heart is broken,
Allow yourself to shed a tear or two,
Then come sit with me, I'll be in the adjacent room,
Armed with chocolates and tales of resilience,
So you can gather your strength and carry on.

It is world of careers,
Pursue excellence with a heart of gold,
Embrace opportunities with a blend,
Of fortuity and tenacity,
And when success grace your path,
Contemplate marriage, if you wish to,
Build a home, and if you desire,
Welcome the pitter-patter of little feet.
The only dream left for you,
Is to grow old gracefully,
It won't be easy, as life rarely is,
But I offer you my sincerest wishes,
For a future brimming with good fortunes,
Best of luck my little sunshine.