REFLECTIONS IN SOLITUDE

A bawl, a crawl and then a step

A helpless bundle yet full of pep

A scrawl, a drawl and finally in school

Tumbling, fumbling, almost a fool.

 

Till a butterfly emerges from the chrysallis 

Parents thank God for their little bliss 

Thus appears the little man on the threshold of life 

Confused and silenced to witness such strife.

 

Time flies and many moons later 

He graduates from shorts to trousers like father. .

Freckles, tan and blemishes may make or mar him!

Follows passions and fashions with vigour and vim.

 

Surrounded by contradictions 

He seeks solace in company 

 To laugh away blues,

In thoughtless blasphemy.

 

Ambitions and dreams hold a ray of hope 

 Realised through opportunities and scope 

And life slowly turns a shade of grey 

Amid the crazy race to stay in the fray.

 

 Learning the ropes and the tricks of the trade 

Of training and straining to make the top grade 

Beware of bumps and shocks on the way!

 Lo and behold! that strand has turned grey.

 

Reflecting on the past brings pain and tears 

Life is now fraught with apprehensions and fears.

Name and fame are but illusions 

Legacies bequeathed are only consolations.

 

Stepping through the final arch at the door

 In step with his soul mate he treads the floor 

He surveys his own footprints visible no more 

Mellowed, Autumnal and considered a bore.

 

  Loss or gain sunshine or rain 

Keeping account is all in vain 

The “soul” cries “liberty”, the body holds back 

The tussle continues till senses go slack.

 

 Comes the final “turn” to the “other side”

The drop is deep and the chasm is wide 

“ My work is over, goodbye dear friends,

It is up to you now to keep up the trends.”

 

“If ever you chance to come by 

The same old “bend “

Make it on a weekend,

Won't you my friend ?”