Tasneem Hossain (poem)
Moderator 
Tasneem Hossain
Director, Continuing Education Centre (CEC) Multilingual poet, columnist, op-ed and fiction writer, translator and training consultant.
Baba!
When I was little, you took care of me so well.
You took me to school, helped me excel.
You left for work, returned home by noon;
Fed me, without taking any rest.
Made me sleep, singing a beautiful tune.
You played with me in the field.
If I got hurt, you took care until I was healed.
Dad, when I had fever,
You gave me medicines for relief.
Sat beside me all night long,
singing soft songs.
Dad, when did you wake up
and put a bandage on my forehead?
Did you not sleep at all?
Slowly, I grew up, your hair started to grey
with a patch of baldness, a holy grail.
Your steps slower and body frail.
Glasses on your eyes, but still difficult to see.
Falling asleep, while sitting in front of the TV.
You always had a smile on your face.
never upset, full of grace.
Baba, you are not here today.
My heart is torn, my eyes full of rain.
Why do I feel so much pain?
I walked through life, holding your hands.
Flashflood of memories come rushing in a whirlwind.
You loved hot rice with fish stew.
Your favourite sweet dish was ‘Payesh’ with ‘gur’.
When you were alive, I never cooked for you.
I wonder, why I didn't do this much for you.
Why? Why didn't I sit next to you and talk to you?
Why didn’t I tell how much I miss you and love you?
Today you are not here, I can’t stop crying.
Baba, if you were here, I would kiss your forehead.
and wipe your glasses, while you read.
I would cook your favorite dish and feed you.
I'll comb your hair. I'll make tea.
I'll sit next to you and listen to the story of your life,
Holding your hands in mine.
Mother died after I was born.
Why didn't you get married again?
I know it was also for me.
You sacrificed everything for me.
But look, how selfish of me?
I got married and went to live with my husband's family,
leaving you alone.
I, even, didn't have time to talk on the phone.
‘Ma, come and visit me.’
"Baba, I have a lot of work. I'll come when I'm free."
Today, I understand how lonely you were.
Your physical condition didn’t allow you to go anywhere.
You were so lonely, I have understood too late,
Not saying, ‘I love you, ‘I regret.
Now, you have gone to the land of no return.
How life’s wheel rolled, cannot be undone,
Baba, be well and pray for me.
Baba, ‘I love you.’
Tribute to my father – he was both, a father and mother to me.
_______________________________
*Baba- father
*Ma- mother
*Payesh- dessert prepared with rice and jaggery
*Gur- jiggery
Brief Biography of Tasneem Hossain
Tasneem Hossain is a multilingual poet, columnist, op-ed, fiction writer, educator, translator, and training consultant. She writes poems in English, Urdu, and Bengali.
As an op-ed writer, she has authored over 150 articles. Her articles deal with day to day life
events, personal development issues; and creates awareness about social and human rights issues. Several of her articles and poems are utilised as teaching material in universities and academies across various countries; some have been referenced in university research papers by academics.
Winner of The International Literary Association Creative Tribune, Walt Whitman 2025 Contest, she has won many other awards. Her poems have been translated in 11 languages and her powerful writings are regularly featured in esteemed publications around the globe. A member of World Writers’ Union, she has been recognized as World’s Contemporary Writers 2024 in several anthologies and interviewed on several literary platforms in recognition of her contributions to world literature.
She is also one of the prestigious editorial members of the widely circulated magazine
‘Wordsmith International Editorial, USA,’ and member of the international literary magazine
‘Pen Craft- Kalamer Karukaj,’Bangladesh.
An author of three poetry collections-Grass in Green, The Pearl Necklace, and Floating
Feather and a book of articles ‘Split and Splice’, she also leads an international poetry project
and group called Life in Lyrics. Additionally, four more books are currently in progress.
She served as a faculty member of Business English at Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology. Currently, she is the director of the prominent human resource development
organizations, Continuing Education Centre (Bangladesh), and Cansaz Services and Distribution LLC (Canada). With 27 years of experience, she is a highly regarded Business leader, and English Language and Communication Management trainer.
She actively participates in sports whenever the opportunity arises. She also participated in the national badminton championships in Bangladesh. For 10 years, she worked as a
newscaster, commentary reader, interviewer and radio presenter for Radio Bangladesh. She has also directed plays, including Shakespeare’s ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’.
You can connect with Tasneem Hossain through email: [email protected]
