Matter Of Time Poem by Anil Kumar Panda

I see the stranger standing
In front of me, in the mirror.
The fallen face carries the pain
Of yester years, rotting dry.

Behind the scene is fresh,
Like that of a verdant valley;
Walls have marks of opulence,
Decorated with heads of deer
And tiger and lion-killed for
Enjoyment and sports.

Time flows unchecked.
Flowers have to fall to the ground
With each passing day;

The man standing in front of
The mirror has lost his coat-
Imported and kept ironed.

The hollowed cheeks are kept
Unshaved to hold tears.