An Ordeal Poem by Ravinder Kumar Soni

After a long wait
The doorbell rang,
I knew
He had come,
To enthuse me;
He who had promised
To me
A world full of love
And gaiety.
I stand to gain,
I should let him in.

He sat cross-legged
On the floor,
A pale version of himself;
He did not speak,
His eyes weren't bright,
Something was wrong,
He had come emptyhanded.
I asked,
Why?

After a quiet deliberation
With himself
He said -
Time has changed,
The people
Their aspiration and aim
Has changed
No one is certain
About the future,
Love is difficult to find,
In the absence of love
There is no joy.
I did not see hate,
Anger and grief.
I felt I was the odd one;
I retraced my steps
And here I am.