As I packed to leave, I put stuff into my suitcase,
Locked memories in my heart
I heard a little voice, With her heart torn apart
Why do you need to go? Please stay here with me
I promised her toys, And things I would bring back,
I will fill my house I said, So she can come and play
Disappointed in me she stood, Held onto me and whispered,
“Maasi, I already have a lot of toys…you please don’t go, with you I want to play”
And silent I went, hugging her tight,
As that was a reminder, of how irrelevant the material things are
Unconditional in love, she was so right!
We grow up collecting things, Believing love needs offerings,
And has to be wrapped in gifts.
But she, with her tiny hands,
held onto something greater, the presence we truly miss.
And just like that, she reminded me —love is never about what you bring,
it’s about being there.
“Don’t go,” she said,
not asking for more — just asking for me.
And in her little world, so complete already,
I saw the truth we forget:
Nothing we own, will ever matter more
than the ones who want us to stay and we choose to stay for.
Roam and Rhyme 