I see upon a hillock brown
An old cottage of no renown,
A chimney quaint with red-tiled roof
With a garden path winding down;
The yard in front dotted with trees
Teeming with butterflies and bees,
With roses and peonies bright
Redolent of bright morning pleas;
Its lime-washed walls which ivies scale
Then adorn with stone-flowers pale,
And there are reindeer-lichens too
Which nudge in-between to regale;
The boughs abound with twitter gay
Make merry be it night or day,
Perhaps there are grass-hoppers too
Who wait till dusk to have their say;
A shadow walks there in the sun
Lending credence there is someone,
Who lives inside that lonely space
Sans fleeting joys and scanty fun;
Sweet twitter from nests overhead
Echoes around a bushy bed,
They seem to tell me of a tale
It lulls my ears and prongs my head;
The man who walks is old and bent
Could match not steps where others went,
I know his gait, I know him well
His wizened hair and seasoned vent;
His looks are mine - an older me
My face across eternity,
And now I know that I am him
A lonely boat on yonder sea;
Was not sure if it were a dream
Though as real as it did seem,
Now I know where my future lies
Which my fate can never redeem;
A cottage old, a lonely life
Across a sea of pain and strife,
Oh Lord my fevered destiny!
Sad heaven's tune upon its fife.
And near that olden window sill
I know that death waits by the rill,
To carry me across that bridge
Of silvered planks and golden frill;
Another home for me to find
Wherein long last I would unwind,
Until my soul is back again
To seek a life that would be kind.
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This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
What started with a lovely description of a cottage as a dreamlike place to live, soon took such a dramatic turn! I must say it is overwhelming. The depth of emotions that are displayed are simply beautiful. A great poem Amar! Full of truth and beauty. Worth reading again and again! Perfect 10.
Thank you Savita...for such wonderful and inspiring comments. It bathes the poet within with endless light and joy.