To second chances

It's one of those days my child,
When I look at your tiny face,
And remember another,
That I once knew.
You look like my mother my child,
And it's cruel that each time you hug me,
I imagine that those arms belong to her too.
So I have decided to take my revenge on fate,
I have a scheme all planned,
I promise to keep that tiny face of yours smiling,
For she hardly got to do the same.
This way I see her shining in your eyes,
Each time you giggle at my silliness,
I make you laugh and hear it like hers,
For she didn't have your luck.
I will protect you,
Like I never knew how with her.
And cherish you the best I can,
For life has given me a second chance.

For Shagufta

And then there were words,
Just ink blots on paper,
Just effervescent thoughts
Afloat on the silence of time,
Words have no power,
Neither do I.
Your words
And mine
Our words intertwine
But come to naught,
For all that I can say has been said before
And all that you suffered was yours alone
I can offer words,
To soothe what is not there
To alleviate what is now clear
Words have no power,
Neither do I

(RIP boss)