The Longing Of The Wrong Age

By Priyendra Kishore Dutta

I don’t want to restrain you or cage you.

But if possible, please try to remember me-

As whatever I am to you in this life.

You are not like me and I am not like you either.

And that is why, your road will not come

And converge with my path in the end.

But in the middle of the path

There was a small crossroad.

And that is where I found you!

After that the two roads will never meet each other again.

Therefore, let us play-build the home here,

Until it is broken into fragments and blown away.

What happened after that?

There was a tree at the crossroads to rest underneath.

And it cast a long shadow that day.

And the dying sun, it its last moments, was pale.

Maybe it was not you-

Because what you borrowed from me was never returned.

But that is why a sweet complaint is still alive inside me that can only be healed by you.

I never wanted to give you expensive gifts or ornate sarees,

All I had was a broken heart, an aged body and my words.

A beautiful, poignant friend you were.

Was there love? Amorous, passionate love ?

Maybe there was!

And maybe that touched me in such ways

That time has passed but its fragrance has not faded yet.

Please take a little rest at this crossroad!

Please stop a while even if like a strand of sunlight.

I too will come like a shadow,

Or like the flakes of ashes after all is burnt down.

This is a madness, insanity at a wrong age-

But still, it will keep desiring you for ever.

So, please don’t leave me yet,

Please stay back a little bit more.

After this crossroads our paths are divergent again

And again my sky will be as colourless as before.

So, please stay back a little bit more

If nothing, let me at least touch you with my eyes to my heart’s content….

By Priyendra Kishore Dutta