Ageing Poem by Sivaprasad Parackal

Ageing

The incurable disease, marked by wrinkles
that signals a gradual retreat
from the blistering day towards the evening
with silver head and sturdy heart

A recluse in the world of chaos
where men in their prime reign
belittling the sweat shed by those
who have tilled the lands for them

A shadow of Hebe's* vigour
and a stranger in familiar worlds
where he is a lonely walker
who treads along the paths of neglect

Wishes he to be under the shade of trees
that he watered and manured
and which bear fruits now
but surpass each other in disowning him

Without any plaints, he moves on
donning his role to perfection
and enlivening each scenegiven
before the final curtain falls.

*Hebe /hi: bi: / - Goddess of youth or prime of life in ancient Greek religion.