Happy Birthday, dearest Ananya

 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DEAREST ANANYA! 

Dear, dear Ananya, happy birthday to you,

Let me just write a note, to give you, little girl, your due!

With three sisters and one brother, the youngest one you are,

So much dances within you, the wittiest one by far!

When you were only in your terrible twos,

A plump little soul, a baby tyrant to your shoes,

You brought the roof down on your poor mother’s head,

Dada, of course, took it in his stride, and played cricket instead!

Gopi Valiachan paid you a visit, and came back with tales galore,

Of the brat you were, all the tantrums and the lying on the floor.

One time you positioned bright hair clips on his head,

The only brave soul going where angels fear to tread!

We remembered your Oppa, who had been as good as gold,

Shook our heads sagely; this one would be a handful to mould!

Then one fine day, the wind changed, and so did you,

The brat in you disappeared, and no one had a clue.

The house turned silent, as the tantrums ceased,

Your parents, Oppa, and of course, the neighbours were pleased.

Your blossoming talents matched the twinkle in your eye,

That grew more pronounced as the years went by.

Singing, baking, ballet, RJ-ing – you did it all.

Picking yourself up deftly after every little fall.

Today as you celebrate your fourteenth birthday, sweet one,

Regaling your family with a joke, a smile, a well-chosen pun.

There is a treasure house of wit that nestles deep within you

And a store of wonderful ideas jostling to break through.

You may not say much but your pretty eyes speak volumes,

The dimple deepening as yet another witticism blooms.

Your letters say so much of your striking persona,

Especially those you exchange with your doting Ammooma!

Even when you are quiet, listening to the rest of us,

Each one boisterous, and kicking up a ruckus.

Your expression so demure, and that Mona Lisa smile,

That nature that’s oh-so-cool, and without any guile.

We love the way you have grown up, our pretty damsel,

May every happiness be yours; may your life turn out just swell!

WE LOVE YOU, DARLING ANANYA!
3rd September 2020