The Islander Poem by Pradip Chattopadhyay

A chance acquaintance on that island bus
said he was eighty of age
have fled for some years the city's rush
on the island have rented a cottage.

I live in peace here the place is nice
live life the way I please
four hundred a month is no high price
to pay for the freedom from leash.

No fan in my room I don't need one
make do with a sixty watt light
when my leisured day is fully done
there's a bed for resting out the night.

But one regret my mind still bears
no way now for it to recompense
it took me so long my life's most years
to know having little is big gains.

He got down from the bus one stop before me
waved with his age shriveled hand
he would never know how him I envy
the loner in one remote island!