ONE WEIRD OLD MAN

An old man done with his life,

sitting at a sea shore, recalling the days he has lived.

Days of happiness, sorrows, troubles and regrets,

all were coming to life as the cool breeze gently touched his head.

He didn't have a successful life, life that he dreamed of when he was a teen.

Complex situations compelled him to relapse, resisted him to live the life he dreamed.

Family, friends and enemies left some unwanted situations,

on which he worked, against his dreams and aspirations.

Tears were rolling down his eyes,

of happiness, sorrow or regret?

Even the poet couldn't understand it for a while.

Sometimes he sobbed, sometimes he yelled,

there were even moments when he hurrahed.

A cup of tea and a sandwich were his sole companions.

By dusk, even they left him in complete desolation.

A teenager, not afar, influenced by his isolation,

stepped towards him and his seclusion.

With utmost concern he asked about the matter,

The anguished man offered his tea to the teenager,

asked him to sit and look at the sea,

where except blue, water and sky, nothing could be seen.

"What's new in this?" asked the teen indecisively.

"This is life." uttered the aged metaphorically.

Seeking explanations, the teen started questioning,

And the man affirmatively answered to satisfy his curiosity.

(The metaphor continues)

"When you start, you have no idea how the journey's going to be,

You row your skiff towards an unforeseen destination

with dreams and hopes being your companions,

you sail into the chest of the ocean.

So serene to the people who watch it from the shore,

Storms, thunders & waves of which they have no lore.

Only you can inhabit the agony and the fear,

no matter how hard you shout, there's no one to hear.

At times you may experience a colossal bump,

the skiff shall sink if you misunderstand it to be a dry run.

But if you battle it with all your determination and strength,

you shall prove yourself worthy of the treasure of abundant wealth.

Remember, the treasure is tough and the ocean's deep.

All your aspirations will drown if you're naive.

Row your skiff with extreme consciousness

and you shall reach the shore with a great respect for life."

Back on the shore the boy was left speechless,

Words of the man were beyond his understanding.

But his conscience undoubtedly received something.

The old man has made many sacrifices and has suffered a lot indeed,

But when he shared his wisdom with the boy, was his pain relieved?

The boy hasn't yet understood the exact cause of his weirdness.

But one day he may realize himself when he’ll have such experience.

He has a long life to live and many obstacles to face,

but the wisdom he received may help him get rid of the upcoming distress.