Not Long Ago Poem by Mahathi Mydavolu

NOT LONG AGO
Those were the times, in fact, not long ago
I used to sit for hours in Pooja room
Till turn ecstatic and from eyes tears flow.
From me the burning oil wicks dispel gloom.

I used to visit temples all around
Of Hanuman, of Kali, Balaji
And many with devotion so profound
And keep my heart from evil thinking, free.

I also roamed along the crowded streets
In bike, met people good, the bad and rude,
reached some rich Mall and walked till ached my feet
And rode back home, refreshed with cheerful mood.

That was the past that never comes again.
In staying lame there is no pain, no gain.