My dad is the commando of the house 
A fire cracker crackling orders 
Ruling the house by his thumb 
I am his soldier nodding and mumbling 
Managing his barrage of attacks 
With only the weapon of silence 
He always wants the best out of me 
As if I was just produced with 
A right mould of perfection by almighty 
I could never falter or fail and 
I should be a machine that has been programmed 
As if I had a clock in my mind 
He wants me to do all that he thinks 
As if I am a mind reader 
Sometimes I wish I am a magician 
Making my dad disappear into thin air 
But there are times when he becomes 
Paternal, caring and soothing 
Offering his shoulders to unload my burden 
Making my eyes rain and melting my heart 
Now I realize that my dad is a jackfruit 
A spiky exterior with a sweet interior 
As time passes by I understood 
Every dad is a Jekyll and Hyde 

Reflections: 
I was inspired to write this poem after reading a metaphor poem on the family. It was quite interesting that made my imagination run wild, placing the members of my family in different roles and characters. However, my imagination about my father's role seemed to blend with reality, like a glove in a hand. I was usually mystified by my father's personality and hence I wanted to put my fascination and fear in words. As my father often plays pranks on me I took this as an opportunity to take a sweet revenge on him. 

I wanted to use a simple language as I felt I could convey my message better. My audiences are mainly students who can easily place themselves in my shoes as they read my poem. I wanted to use simple metaphors which are normally used in daily lives. My father is as strict as an army officer so I had to use words related to army. 

On a second look at the poem, I realize that I have hammered more on his negative side than his positive side. This I feel is selfish and had been written by me to let the steam out off me that moment. When in a balance state I would have added his other more interesting and humors personality which fascinates me. I could have added a line like "There are times when he was a Hitler and I a Jew but equally are times we are U.S and Britain." This truly reflects our relationship in a practical and a humorous way. I would have ended with more apt metaphor like: 

"I know that my commando 
Has put me in a vigorous training camp 
It is not to punish me or please him 
But to see medals of honour 
Shining on my chest in future" 

****