The Village

By Vihaan Riju

One cannot love life too long 

Eventually, things inevitably go wrong 

Backs burdened with worries, brow wrinkled in thought 

How you can continue on, you know not

When it feels that you can’t take it any more, 

That’s the time to step back, and your spirit restore

That’s time you take a break, to relax and unwind

And for this, for me, only one place comes to mind

Nestled away where the horizon is not jutted by towers, 

Where the air is not poisoned, but smells like flowers

Where quiet are the days, the evenings, the nights

That would be my village, which in me peace incites

Everywhere there is green- the rustling leaves, the swaying grass, 

Through which, glittering like gold, the warm sunlight does pass

The wind blows coolly under the spotless blue sky, 

Sitting there in the shade, one cannot help but sigh

But no charm would it have, if it was deserted,

Thankfully there do live people, who with any excitement never flirted

Simple is their life, peaceable their days, with nothing are they stressed or zealous

Seeing which, I always feel deeply jealous! 

So here I am, evading the cruel mistress Life awhile,

But not forever can I sit here, sighing with placid smile

For one cannot escape one’s burdens forever, 

Remembering my village, I will embrace them when they come, however

By Vihaan Riju