POEMS ABOUT AGEING

WHEN I CLOSE MY EYES

WHEN I CLOSE MY EYES


When finally I close my eyes
And walk down the path oft-trodden,
My home will be six feet by two,
Amidst gray lumps of clay, sodden.

None might glance at my new home, it
Might be out of bounds, forbidden,
But what care I for the looks of
Those by whom I was so smitten?

Letters of gold on cold granite
Will not comfort my bitter heart.
In healing my festering wounds,
Flowers will hardly play a part.

Interned in my grave, stiff and cold,
Free from desire, free from all fear,
I would crave for naught, but one thing:
From the eyes of loved ones--a tear.


* Written in abcb, 8-8-8-8 format.

M C Gupta
24 February 2006