Training Poem by Daniel Trevelyn Joseph

Just read a beautiful haiku in Tamil,
Wanted to share the joy with daughter
Sitting next in Deccan Air to Chennai
But she smiled a gentle refusal.
I withdraw; but my mind leaves not that trail;
Why do I want to share with her,
Or anyone close? Why get hurt?
So, you don’t share, don’t talk
And get accused of being indifferent,
Even insensitive, which is hurting more,
An ant on dry stick with fire at both ends.

Naturally once it happens too often,
I get angry, and want to show anger
Clearly to sensitize people
To the needs of others.
After all, I am not harming one or wasting time
Only trying to share the delicacies of
Of life in art, literature and sometimes persons.

So, why do you put me off all that time?
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Now, I stop to think differently
Recall what wife says - I am used to power,
To people listen if not kowtow,
But now I am not on top of any pyramid
Of power and hence should behave
Like any ordinary citizen or customer,
And not assume rights or power
By raising my voice or expecting too much
Nay, any deference or immediate compliance.

At sixty-three, I should look forward to pain,
Illness, hospitalization, needle on vein, discomfort,
Loneliness, neglect or indifference from others,
Death of faculties one by one, till every faculty stops.
This time should be treated as training period,
Regardless of what others – in family or out – say!