ON THE THRESHOLD

I put on my hat
Bade bye to my cat;
As I walked, I thought
Nature is there to chat;
Ah! There stand my lovely trees,
Surrounded by birds and bees.

With steps measured, I went near,
Looked above, things not clear;
My eyes , once powerful and bright,
Now lost much of their sight.

Nature is bountiful as it always was,
Time has slipped and scenes passed as a flash.
Past was pleasant and beautiful;
The present is elusive and painful.
I walk along and wonder what future has in store
Is there a magic wand? What I lost, can it restore?

People whom I know since their child hood,
Passed and cried “Oldie, how far you plan to go?”
May be I was the oldest in my village;
Many were not sure of my age.

I reached my garden; the stand of roses was good;
With their colours and scent they made me proud.
“Good morning, grandpa”, said a child;
“Can I hold your hand” said another voice, so mild.

They are the future, bright and wise,
From my garden I gave them each a rose .
I looked and looked, but could not tell ;
Which was prettier, their faces or the roses.
“Thank you”, they said in a single voice;
I felt the flowers reached their rightful place.

I recalled my child hood days,
Days filled with joy and happiness;
Play mates and class mates, boys and girls,
Love, affection and kindness in abundance.
The pleasant memories are fresh in mind
Like the scent of roses that hangs around.

I remembered my father and mother,
Their faces kind and smiling.
All my friends, sisters and brother
Have gone; their memories disturbing.

All my loved ones and golden days are gone,
Leaving me- an old man, to brood all alone.
I took off my hat and sat beneath a tree,
I wondered when I would be free.

Vision and other senses are failing,
From time to time I tumble while walking;
I could hear the Lord calling: “Come my son,
It is time we stopped playing”.

I got up and strode towards the brook;
It ran, it runs and it will run;
Past, present and future are the same.
I got the message, plainly and clearly
Life is the name of the game,
I will play it fully and fairly.