Superannuated Poem by Daniel Trevelyn Joseph

You were earlier on the stage, sought after,
The centre of attention, amidst the throng,
Even your informal words sank straight in.

Then, you are one of them on the stage,
The spotlight still covers you, but successor
Is in focus, and people notice you too.

Then, you are satisfied with the front row:
You get addressed still by the Chief Guest
In his talk, and most of the people speak to you.

Then, you walk in and if the first row is full,
Nobody offers to get up and give you a seat,
And you quietly go sit in a back-row.

Then, you are not addressed
By people from the stage, half of whom
Are strangers, or of next generation.

Then, a few smile at you, and during coffee-break
Come to speak to you as if you are heritage,
A few move in by detracting the present boss.

Then, you have to stand in queue for coffee or tea;
You search for a person to speak to; when your
Turn comes there is no tea, and nobody bothers!

Then the last stage, you don’t get the invitation
And you get to hear through friends
Who care for you some pressman who feels bad.