Excel (Verb) Poem by Daniel Trevelyn Joseph

Doing the exercises in the gym at Bandra
I count one two three
Generally in Tamil in my mind.

For ten repetitions, as I reach eight or nine,
I feel that I have to do a few more,
And end up at fifteen.

Is it a need for excelling that is my innermost desire?
Has it been installed by mom in childhood
Or papa in teenage?
Mom was angry if I brought 96 out of 100.

Papa’s knowledge of and taste for Eng lit
Left me far behind
Despite all my university ranks,
Prizes and medals,
He knew more, he wrote better.

D T Joseph
14.01.08