A Changed Man Poem by Rm. Shanmugam Chettiar

She was a lady of passion;
He was a man of position.
A perfect couple they had been.
The middle age brought monotony.

His confident became her friend.
Far young in age, he was a friend
With easy access to her company.
Proximity brought affinity.

He coveted her, angled for her,
Ached for her and longed for her,
By virtue of her forbidden state
And formidable position.

Irresistible they became
To each other arousal.
An elopement was not a thing,
Either of them hadn't thought of.

She went a widow abruptly
And bent to think liberally.
He sent a signal not truly
As passionate as it must be.

Whether the obstacle had been
The source of love or as a widow,
She bore less attractive look,
His feelings for her declined

So soon from the incandescence
To a tepid civility.

Their union didn't materialize.
Thank God! No elopement, he thought.
(Inspired by a story A Changed Man by Thomas Hardy)
22.05.2016