Route to Roots

Whenever he sees children
playing and giggling in gardens,
malls, streets or nearby,
or gathering around
the icecream or balloon seller
or in the kid’s area,
he just stands behind a wall
looking sheepishly
at those carefree kids,
missing his own old days
now in this old age…

He wishes to go back in time
to be a child again,
to live his childhood once again,
to play with kids like a kid,
but he is cold-shouldered
being unfit for them…

He wants to play naughty pranks,
but is often berated
by his own near and dear ones
for being so childish…

Should he resign to his fate,
it crosses his mind,
should he accept himself
as an outcast or worthless,
labelled as an old man?
How can he change himself
and why?

No, that’s not he is meant for,
he is not a leaf
that he should pale and wait
for the day of his fall,
he knows the root of the matter
and discovers his strength
in the weakness shown by others…

He wishes now
to be a part of roots,
that will remain grounded,  
in the company
of his leaves, flowers and fruits,
as also of roots of his fellow trees...

–Kaushal Kishore

images: pinterest