1. How soon we crossed swift years upon
the seas
Of time; I can’t believe,
yet what
We got, you may question,
but nought;
A routine cyclic round,
no splendid breeze
Of victory rippled our stagnant
rhythm of life;
We lived as others do as
husband and wife.
2. We got good help but not in a state
to give
No rosy moments we had,
but calmy live
In casual ways sans
closer ties;
No events made us sane
and wise;
The seas of fate,
uncertain and too cold
As deep may be your mind,
I can’t behold;
Our duties goaded us to
run round the clock
No poetic lilt we felt,
no thrilling shock.
3. So many years passed—we rolled like
balls
Playing too cautious to
break our walls;
Unaware of our goals, we
plied on our ways
Unmindful of dreary
prospective days;
We kept within our bounds
too discreet to break
A compromising deal—no
risk or stake.
4. Our tastes do differ, but our duties
link
No lusty greed spurred
you; no brink
Of ambition fired my
heart; I took
Whatever came with easy
look
Reposing faith in the
grace of God;
Through ups and downs we
patiently trod.
My eager earnings scarcely
enough for needs
With rising prices our
purses are bound to bleed.
Your careful ways helped me--much I admire
Within our limits we curbed
our dreams and desires.
5. In compromising ways, we moved with
ease
My life, a leaf whirled
round by chancy breeze;
I pray for doing my share
of mine by just
Means aided by God and
not a burden curst;
I wish thee brighter
moments of bliss
Tempered with moral
strength and peace.
6. No rolling flood of wealth and joy I
share
With thee; a simple soul
what can I spare?
No bragging pomp of
luxuries I shower
No mansioned
magnificence, beyond my power;
Let us maintain our relations
with hope and cheer;
Let us live in peace with
a conscience clear;
No use of blaming fate
for what we got
As middle-class people
let us accept our lot;
What more can I promise?
No rosy dreams
Smile thy way through,
cheer up, no raging screams.
***********************************
15th March, 2024 Somaseshu Gutala
Note: The predicament in a middle-class family is shown. The wide gap between aspirations and reality is described. Of course, the positive aspect is adjustment and mutual understanding.
