SETTING SHADOWS

 

                  

                                                             SETTING SHADOWS

                                                   (The Funny Side Of An Elderly Couple)   

          

1)                 Each enclosed in each one’s own space, we dwell

              Like bats hanging head down from banyan tree

              Each in one corner imprisoned, not so free;

              Stuck in our narrow worlds like frogs in a well

              Old age kept us within her narrow bounds

              We stay together-- apart without sounds;

 

2)                  Her eyes like prying baits do keenly try

               To catch my lapses with an eagle-eye;

               One misstep of mine, they quickly spy

               And pull me down like a bolt from the sky;

               I take my turn too trying to blame

               In her every task, a mind-boggling game.

 

3)                  In my every task she finds some defect

               My hobbies she treats as wasteful pastime

               Looks me down as if I did a serious crime.

               My improper training and gross neglect;             

               She beats me far behind with her culinary skills

               My cooking trials and household work almost nil. 

 

4)                   No job to do except confined to home

               Except to read some news and sip a cup of tea

               A sailor forlorn in God-forsaken Sea

               None to chat with or together roam

               Encaged in silence and time-killing ways

               No fast-paced change but passing idle days.          

 

5)                  My constant presence, an irritating eye-sore

               Sitting like a statue in stagnant state

               All have vanished--my colleagues and my mates;

               My memories lie dusty as in a lumber-store.

               My pitfalls like dead shadows pass

               As if treading on broken bits of glass.

 

6)                 Once we complained about our work too hard

              Doing same thing year after year

              Longing for leisure with full rest and cheer

              Too much spare time now-- how to spend, my God!

              Is there no other way except to curse and cross?

              Is this the way our time to pass? 

 

7)                 As elders we do think too proud of our age

             Our age matures but still our egos bind

              In present knowledge-world we lag behind;

              A hiatus wide leaves us in modern maze;

              Let us move with times; no rigid views; no use;

              Nothing happens on past glories to muse.

 

8)                  Though different seem our views and ways

               Tethered together how can we be apart?

               Restrained we have to adjust like wheels of a cart;

               Time guides us to keep up with even pace;

               Our petty rivalries where will they lead?

                Is it true aversion or overpowering creed?

 

9)                   Whatever they be, our days turn fast

                Our squabbles end in lovely compromise

                Our faults melt like mists at sunrise;

                Our hidden springs of love hold us together fast

                Our ways differ you say, too late to mend

                Something binds us close till our final end.

10)                      Our fault-finding ways lead us no where

               They lead us astray with vindictive rage

               None fault-free, come out of your cage;

               My lapses as mountains to you may seem

               My weak virtues as straws in your esteem;

               Our nagging skills keep us ever apart

               Let us be sympathetic with noble thoughts.       

                          *************************

                 16th July, 2021                 Somaseshu Gutala

    

Note : A funny sketch of an elderly couple with no 

           intention to hurt anyone.