Little kid, I was, in prime innocence.
Parents vying with siblings overwhelming in competition!
First puff on a discarded cigarette butt; fisticuffs with bullies.
First dip in the pool: tryst with bikes.
First movies at matinees: fast flips through glossies.
Provoking mouthfuls, chasing matrons: peeping through keyholes.
Gusty truancy and naughty pranks: lusty laughter with abandon.
Anxiety, thrills, frights, excitement and gaiety essay times.
Forenoon
Adult I became one, gaining new consciousness.
Strange frontiers, swayed like in rock and roll.
Late shows with new dates: lusty fun with the gang.
Lugubrious days under the covers: libidinous evenings under the open skies.
Careless boisterousness, adventure and indulgence marked the time.
Afternoon
Man I was called, grabbing my first job ever.
New money and new freedoms in the horizon.
‘Could-buy-this-world’ feeling and throwing my weight around!
That badly-needed noticing and unique potency syndrome, et.al.
Compulsive adoration; compelling obedience and at what cost!
New love and old infatuations make new compromises.
Marriage followed suit; turning with the script.
Blessed with children; some inevitable mirror images.
New errands surfacing; new commitments on the call!
Pulled some strings for a raise; new jealousies close on the heels.
One-upmanship; no regrets to look back!
Not all are satisfied; everybody was not yours truly.
Frustration growing; snaring gaps!
Wife no comfort, but for that familiar acquiescing throb!
Proving my mettle, playing the role balancing labored the time.
Evening
Man I was in middle age, insisted the old pals.
New responsibilities forced attention everywhere.
Children threatened for the controls; new generation and gaps.
Housewarming sans any warmth; those budget upheavals!
Failed investments; a stunted growth!
Ensured my children's future; the inevitable self-denial.
“Can't catch up!” and “All is not well with the planning.” hung the time.
Night
An old man's status, acquired in brooding sadness!
Hearing the clock tick loud for a deaf ear; first sense of fear!
Pressure of blood told on mercury; curiosity of doctors though!
The world looked bleary; maybe the needed change in glasses.
Retired in more ways than one; left alone with wife.
Gone are the office perks; need to walk a mile for vegetables.
Aimless flicking of channels; an idiot's tear or two for the favorite soaps!
Identity crisis, solitariness and remorse on the edge!
Late Night
An ageless man turned into, in such stunned silence,
Knowing for sure all youths waste time; hindsight speaking
With wife understanding in the bargain; help in the kitchen; sins forgiven.
Many sin like me; a comforting thought although.
Sleep failing like the essence of time lost forever;
Yet contentment ruling supreme in the wakeful hours.
