“Holding Tomorrow in My Heart” (The Heart’s Promise to Those Yet to Come)
Introduction :
“Holding Tomorrow in My Heart” is a moving promise to the future — to a wife yet unknown and children yet unborn. Through raw honesty, this poem vows to protect, respect, and love without limits. It challenges the cruelty often hidden behind closed doors and calls on all men to honor their families with courage and kindness.
“Holding Tomorrow in My Heart”
(The Heart’s Promise to Those Yet to Come)
In the East, they say women are honored more,
But even here, respect’s not always sure.
Some turn blind eyes, some hearts don’t care,
Kids suffer pain that’s too hard to bear.
Watching this world, my heart silently cries,
So I make two promises, deep and wise.
First, to the angel who leaves all behind,
To marry me and write my name in her heart—
Promise me, you won’t break that heart,
No tear escapes her sparkling, star-like eyes.
Don’t yell like a coward, don’t hurt her soul,
Hold her like life, make her whole.
Die before you glance at another face,
Even if the world mocks, keep your place.
Be loyal till death, even when storms rage,
Stand by her side and say, everything will be alright.
When the sun is burning hot, be her shade,
Like a lion, protect her, never let fear invade.
Bring happiness, no matter the cost,
For losing her love would mean all is lost.
Second, to the kids I’ve yet to see,
Hold them close, keep them safe with me.
When innocent eyes meet mine with trust,
Say, "No harm will come to you while daddy’s near."
Give them all the dreams I once sought,
Teach them to live with love and care.
Make them stars, bright in the night,
Raise them human, kind, and right.
No pain will mark them like the wounds I wore,
Love them deeply, always more.
Where I go, my family goes too,
In all life’s storms, we’ll stand true.
Not broken words, but a sacred pledge,
For someone special, beyond the edge.
If the sun burns, I’ll step in its flame,
For their happiness, I’ll bear any pain.
If my wife and kids cry from my hand,
Then death is mercy, I understand.
I’ll sleep on cactus thorns, eat glass for their meal,
Stand through thunderstorms, give them a true home.
Choose their joy over my own breath,
That’s how love fights, that’s life’s depth.
But why swear to those not yet here?
Because men laugh with friends, but bring home fear.
They joke outside, but at home, they break—
Chimps enraged, lost in grief and pride.
Is this bravery? Is this pride?
Do families deserve that pain inside?
Who gave you right to treat them low?
Who taught you love could be this slow?
A husband’s love is not a shoe’s sole,
If you think so, you’ve lost your soul.
Therapists needed for hearts so cold,
Shame on those with love untold.
May God stop this hurt and pain,
Fill hearts with light, break every chain.
Ameen.
—Shahzad Sulaiman
Why I Wrote This :
They say women are more respected in the East than in the West — and maybe that’s true. I believe that. But here, in the very same East, I’ve still seen women disrespected. I’ve seen people turn cold toward children. Some don’t even care. Kids aren’t treated the way they should be — with love, patience, and safety.
Growing up watching all this, I made two promises to my future self.
The first is for the woman who will leave her family, her home, her past — just to marry me. She’ll write my name in her heart, so I swear I’ll never break it. I promise she’ll never shed a single tear from her sparkling, star-like eyes because of me — or anything I could’ve stopped. I won’t yell at her like a coward. I won’t ever hurt her soul. I’d rather die than look at another woman. Even if the world mocks me, I’ll never become that man — the yelling, bitter one. I’ll stay loyal until death. If she’s angry, I won’t meet her anger with anger. If she’s sad, I’ll hold her hand and say, “Don’t worry — everything will be fine.” I’ll be her shade when the sun is burning, her shelter in every storm. I’ll protect her like a lion defends his pride. I’ll bring joy into her life no matter the cost.
The second promise is for the kids I haven’t met yet. When I see their innocent eyes, I’ll hold them close and say, “No harm will come to you while daddy’s near.” I’ll give them everything I once wished for. I’ll raise them with love and care. I’ll teach them to be human — to be kind. I’ll make sure they never carry the pain I carried. I’ll love them more than anything. Wherever I go, they go. My family will be my life.
These aren’t just words from a broken boy. These are rare promises — for someone I haven’t even met yet, but already love more than anything. If I had to step into fire for them, I would. If they ever cried because of me, then I’d deserve nothing less than death. I’d sleep on a cactus bed, eat broken glass — just to make sure they have comfort, food, and a home. If I had to choose between my life and their happiness, I’d choose them. Every time.
But why make these promises for people who aren’t even here yet?
Because At 26, I’ve spent my whole life watching men treat their friends with more kindness and respect than they show their own families. They laugh and joke outside, but the moment they’re home — they become angry, silent chimps, like they’re carrying some invisible burden. And that hurts. Why? Why are you happy with your boys, but cold and cruel to your wife and kids? Is that your idea of manhood? Of pride?
If that’s how you act — then what makes you think you even deserve a family?
Where I come from, I’ve heard men say a husband should treat his wife like the sole of his shoe. To whoever first said that — and to anyone who believes it — you need therapy. You need to be ashamed.
Disclaimer:
This poem is based on real-life experiences. It aims to inspire positive change, not to promote hate, judgment, or negativity.
“This poem came from thinking about what kind of husband and father I hope to be. I see too many men act proud outside but bring fear home — and I wanted to promise never to be that.”
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