Looming Shadows

There comes a time to count and take account of
What we earned in life and what passed us by
A time to ponder over the sweet glory of gains
And the sore sadness of misses lingered by

Time to recall the things we made to change
And many of those which we tried, but in vain
Of occasions that brought us happiness and glee
And of the failures which soaked us in a gloom
     
It is that time when our physical limitations
Tend to blend and merge with mental acceptance
When maturity lets us face facts with ease and repose
As we receive reality with reluctance, yet with resolve

When we pause to reminisce and glance over the past
Which vanished faster than a gleaming flash of light
And as the future looms before us, imminent and near
Posing and staring as a huge unknown, impending haze

Savor the delights of wisdom and that of dignity
That we gracefully gained through the sheer event of living
As we unravel the fragile filaments of our memory
And gauge it to evaluate life, as to what it means after all

Be ourselves, remain strong, genial and confident
Be concerned, yet with candor that carried us all along
Stay stoic, tranquil and unruffled as times move along
Accepting the changes as they approach and demand

Be proud of the deeds we did and the feats fulfilled
Be hopeful that our progeny will praise us with pride
Be content with the tiny triumphs of our little life
That most humans may not venture, even to dream

Be at peace, rejoice, share with the world around you
Be the kind, caring and concerned human that you can be
Be grateful to the mercy of God for his blessings and boon
For all the good in life that He has kindly bestowed on you

As our shadows stretch in the golden twilight
Singing stories of past, that of rapture and ruins
Let the cargo we compile, loaded with love and grief
Be not a burden to choke, but to offer solace we need

Get set and ready to relish the days that are yet to come
And as they arise, pray for peace, poise and a little ease
When the world moves along, striding by our side with noise
Let us laud in silence, our destiny, to have had this life to live.

(July 2002)

Author: Dr. Venugopal Menon

Was born and raised in a loving family in pre-independent India, became a doctor, served Indian army, got married, then came over to America with wife and a daughter, established as a successful Allergist, raised a family of three children, was involved in many social establishments, retired, and wrote memoirs, 'My Mother Called Me Unni, A Doctor's Tale of Migration'. View all posts by Dr. Venugopal Menon