I Don`t Want To Die Early Now. Poem by PARTHA SARATHI PAUL

I used to think that I should die
much earlier than three score and ten
as a hero dies in the twilight of his life
with the sun in the middle of his sky.

And I hate to see me old
like a crumpled paper packet
as such of very little use
only with a tag that 'old is gold.'

I was toying with some ideas
like a juggler juggles some empty bottles
about how I should cut my life art film
down to a short documentary film.

As a poet I hit on a good plan.
I chose and clung to a royal slow death.
I drowned daily in the reddish hot liquor
being sure that I could drown to early death.

I was sailing through on my plan
but like a young meteor my ladylove
crashing through the thickly drab atmosphere
landed on my afternoon heart.

And from within the hollow of my solemn heart
came out a tulip garden bathed in the golden sun.
Since then I have been seeing things with her dreamy eyes
and living in her life afresh like a bud from a flower.

I am happy as a god in her temple.
Her faith in me has given me strength to cast away old shadows.
Her love for me has made me a newly lover poet
who worships poetry and his muse Ananya, a unique girl.